WHO warns of the urgency for a pandemic treaty

The WHO Director-General emphasized the urgency of finalizing an international pandemic treaty amid ongoing disagreements between wealthy and developing nations. Recent deadly outbreaks, including Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlight the need for a comprehensive agreement to manage future pandemics. The Intergovernmental Working Group is meeting to finalize the treaty, which includes crucial mechanisms for pathogen access and benefit sharing. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that no country can protect itself from pandemics alone, citing the inequalities experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a lesson for future preparedness.