The director of the World Health Organization expressed concern on Monday that “future generations may not forgive us” if nations are unable to get to a pandemic preparedness agreement by May.
The 194 member states of the World Health Organization, rattled by the Covid-19 outbreak, are forging a global agreement to make sure nations are better prepared to handle the next health crisis or to avoid one entirely.
The deal was supposed to be finalized at the World Health Assembly’s (WHO) annual conference in 2024, which takes place on May 27.
But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said time was running out and if nobody is prepared to budge, the whole project risks going nowhere.
At the opening of the WHO’s executive board meeting in Geneva, Tedros reminded countries that world leaders at the UN General Assembly had agreed a commitment to resolve negotiations on the pandemic accord, and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), by May this year.
“I must say I’m concerned that member states may not meet that commitment. Time is very short. And there are several outstanding issues that remain to be resolved,” Tedros said.
Failure to deliver the agreement would be “a missed opportunity for which future generations may not forgive us,” he said.
“It will take courage and it will take compromise.
“I urge all member states to work with urgency and purpose to reach consensus on a strong agreement that will help to protect our children and grandchildren from future pandemics.”
The member nations of WHO resolved in December 2021 to begin the process of discussing and drafting a new international instrument pertaining to pandemic preparedness, response, and prevention.
Better global preparedness and a more equitable response to pandemics in the future would be the goals of the agreement.
In May 2023, Tedros proclaimed the conclusion of COVID-19 an international public health emergency.
The executive board, the World Health Assembly, and Director-General Tedros share governance of the WHO.
