Previous efforts to make a deal ended in failure three years ago.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the decisions made as "historic," as the WHO launched talks on a new accord in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic that caused millions of deaths and overwhelmed health systems.

However, negotiations hit obstacles, with many developing countries expressing frustration over rich nations' monopolization of available COVID-19 vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) annual assembly called for more equitable provision of medicines and research sharing in future international health agreements.

The assembly committed to completing negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within a year and introduced the concept of a "pandemic emergency" in binding health rules.

Member states agreed to take rapid coordinated action during such emergencies.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that these decisions demonstrate a shared desire to protect people from public health emergencies and future pandemics.

The text summarizes remarks made by the World Health Organization (WHO) director, Tedros, regarding the ongoing negotiations to establish a legally binding agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

Tedros emphasized that the agreement will enhance countries' abilities to detect, respond to, and coordinate efforts against future outbreaks and pandemics, particularly through strengthening disease surveillance, information sharing, and response capacities.

He also emphasized the urgency of finalizing the agreement, as another pandemic is inevitable.