The week of negotiations aims to finalise an international agreement before the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual general meeting in May. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he believed participants were “ready to make history” so the world was prepared for the next global health crisis.

“I believe we are too close to throw it all away. I believe you are ready to secure consensus,” he told delegates. “The world needs a strong signal that in these divided and divisive times, countries can still come together to collaborate and find common ground. “The Pandemic Agreement can be that signal and you can be the ones to give it.” WHO member states resolved in December 2021 to strike a deal aimed at preventing but also preparing for future pandemics to avoid mistakes made during COVID. (Jamaica Observer)