WHO Chief: A new pandemic is “just around the corner”

Baghdad: Head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that a new pandemic could occur in the world at any moment. The head of the organization warned of this matter during his participation in the meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body held in Geneva to work on developing a draft agreement on epidemic prevention. He said: "As the current outbreak of the H5N1 virus (avian influenza) reminds us, the next pandemic could be just around the corner, and could happen at any time, without waiting for us." The head of the organization described the document being prepared by the body as a "generational agreement", noting the importance of the work being done by this body. He explained that "completing the negotiations this year will be a historic event", stressing that reaching consensus on outstanding issues is possible within a relatively short period of time. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is meeting on 16-17 July in Geneva, its tenth meeting since 2022. The body f ailed to finalize the draft pandemic treaty before the 77th WHO General Assembly (27 May-1 June) this year, as originally planned, so the General Assembly decided to extend the body's work for a year. The results of the work on the document are expected to be summarized at the 78th WHO General Assembly in May 2025 or at a special session of the Assembly, which may be held before the end of 2024. Source: National Iraqi News Agency