According to a written statement from WHO, opinions on the draft pandemic agreement were shared at the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Body (INB), which includes WHO’s 194 countries.
Member states agreed on a draft of a plan to be submitted for approval to the World Health Assembly in May 2024 and how negotiations will proceed.
It was agreed that countries could submit additional written proposals by 22 April, and that these be compiled with other proposals into a package to be submitted to the drafting group. The INB will prepare a text based on all submissions by May 22.
Dutch Roland Driece, Co-Chair of the INB Bureau, said: “The world recognizes the need for an agreement to help us not repeat the mistakes in the COVID-19 response. There are many constructive suggestions on the table on how to do this.” used the phrase.
“Countries from all over the world were able to discuss their ideas, concerns and suggestions in a forum where all countries would hear and consider them,” said Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of the South African INB Bureau. made its assessment.
The INB draft group is scheduled to meet again in June to continue negotiations.