WHO Negotiations Extended for Global Pandemic Agreement

1. Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have missed the deadline for drafting a global pandemic accord aimed at improving international cooperation during public health emergencies.
2. Despite the missed deadline, negotiations will continue as countries recognize the importance of a comprehensive agreement to better manage future disease outbreaks and pandemics.
3. The pandemic accord aims to address gaps in global health governance, strengthen health systems, and ensure equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics during health emergencies.
4. The accord is expected to build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in global health systems and highlighted the need for improved international cooperation.
5. The extended negotiations will focus on addressing concerns raised by member states, including issues related to sovereignty, funding, and implementation of the agreement.
6. The WHO hopes to finalize the pandemic accord by the end of 2023, with the agreement expected to be legally binding and enforceable under international law.