WHO: Calls on countries to prepare for next pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization called on countries to implement the reforms necessary to prepare for the next pandemic and to honor previous commitments to strengthen the funding of this United Nations agency.

Addressing the WHO's annual assembly in Geneva from May 21 to 30, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said now is the time to speed up negotiations aimed at preventing the next pandemic.

"We cannot put it off," he said, warning that the next pandemic "is bound to knock on the door."

"If we don't make the changes that need to be made, then who will?" And if we don't do them now, then when?", he said.

The ten-day WHO assembly coincides with the 75th anniversary of its founding and will discuss global health problems, including future pandemics.

The 194 member countries are negotiating reforms to binding rules that define their obligations in the event of an international health threat and are working on a broader pandemic treaty expected to be ratified next year.

"A commitment from this generation to an agreement on pandemics is important because this is the generation that experienced how terrible a small virus can be," Tedros said.

Member countries will discuss the WHO's 2024-2025 budget later in the day, which includes an increase in countries' annual contributions.

The World Health Organization has not invited Taiwan to participate in the organization's annual assembly, despite Taipei's insistence that support for its participation has grown.

The annual assembly decided today not to extend an invitation to Taiwan to participate, bowing to pressure from China and Pakistan. The Marshall Islands and Eswatini were positioned in favor of Taiwan's participation.

Source: RES-EAP