Next pandemic won't wait, WHO tells nations to seal global pact

… Says DR Congo Ebola underscores global risk… Insists, every month of delay leaves world less safeBy Chioma Obinna

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Monday issued a fresh warning that the world remains dangerously exposed to future disease outbreaks, urging countries to put aside differences and conclude negotiations on the landmark global Pandemic Agreement.

Speaking at the opening of the Seventh Meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, Tedros said every delay in finalising the agreement leaves the world less prepared for the next global health emergency.

“The next pandemic will not wait for us to be ready,” he declared, warning delegates that “every month that this Annex remains unfinished is a month the world stays less prepared than it could be.”

His remarks come as countries continue negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex, a key component of the Pandemic Agreement aimed at ensuring the rapid sharing of pathogen samples and equitable access to vaccines, medicines and diagnostics during future outbreaks.