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WHO Member States agreed to resume negotiations aimed at finalizing a pandemic agreement during 29 April to 10 May. The decision came at today\u2019s end of two weeks of intensive country-led discussions on critical subjects aimed at making all countries of the world better prepared for, and able to effectively and equitably respond to, future pandemics.<\/p>\n
This ninth meeting<\/a> of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body<\/a> (INB9) started on 18 March and ended today. Government negotiators discussed all articles from the draft agreement<\/a>, including adequate financing for pandemic preparedness, equitable access to medical countermeasures needed during pandemics and health workforce strengthening. <\/p>\n \u201cOur Member States are fully aware of how important the pandemic agreement is for protecting future generations from the suffering we endured through the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. \u201cI thank them for their clear commitment to finding common ground and finalizing this historic agreement in time for the World Health Assembly.\u201d<\/p>\n Next month\u2019s resumption of INB9 will be a critical milestone ahead of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, starting 27 May 2024, at which Member States are scheduled to consider the proposed text of the world\u2019s first pandemic agreement for adoption.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dr Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of the INB Bureau, said: \u201cThere is clear recognition from governments that the goal of a pandemic agreement is to prepare the world for preventing and responding to future pandemics, built on consensus, solidarity and equity. These goals must remain our North Star as we move toward the finalization of this historic, pressing commitment for the world. We know that if we fail, we will be failing humanity, including all those who suffered from COVID-19, and those at risk of future pandemics.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow INB Bureau Co-Chair, Mr Roland Driece, said: \u201cGovernments said clearly we cannot fail to reach an agreement at the next World Health Assembly to make the world healthier, fairer and safer from pandemics. We are at the finishing line and we are committed to maximizing the remaining negotiations to reach the result the entire world needs.\u201d<\/p>\n