Global Health Talks Get Another Year to Shape Pandemic Response
Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have hit the pause button 🔄 on finalizing a groundbreaking pandemic agreement, agreeing to extend negotiations until 2025. The decision, made during this year’s World Health Assembly, aims to ensure the treaty effectively tackles future health crises. 💉
Why the Delay?
Precious Matsoso, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), emphasized a global consensus: \"The world needs stronger tools to fight pandemics head-on.\" The INB, tasked with drafting the treaty since 2021, will continue refining the agreement ahead of the 2025 deadline—or sooner if progress allows. 🗓️
New Rules for a Healthier Future
Meanwhile, updates to the International Health Regulations (IHR) were approved, introducing a \"pandemic emergency\" classification to speed up global coordination during outbreaks. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it a \"game-changer\" for disease detection and response. 🚨
\"These steps ensure we never repeat the chaos of COVID-19,\" Tedros added, highlighting the dual focus on national preparedness and international teamwork. 🌐
