The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed confidence that a global pandemic agreement will be finalized by May 2025, despite concerns over US participation under President-elect Donald Trump.
The World Health Organization (WHO) remains hopeful that a global pandemic agreement will be finalized by May 2025, despite some setbacks and concerns surrounding US participation under President-elect Donald Trump.
For the past two years, 194 WHO member states have been negotiating a global pact aimed at improving international cooperation in preventing and managing future health crises. The agreement follows lessons learned from the failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for stronger preparedness and response mechanisms.
While an initial attempt to finalize the agreement failed earlier this year, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remains optimistic that a deal can be struck in time for the World Health Assembly next May. However, there are concerns that the Trump administration, which has questioned international health agreements in the past, may not fully support the deal.
Despite these concerns, Tedros emphasized the longstanding partnership between the WHO and the United States. He expressed confidence that this collaboration would continue, saying, "The relationship between WHO and the United States has been a good model of partnership for many years. We believe that this will continue, and US leaders understand that the US cannot be safe unless the rest of the world is safe."
In addition to the ongoing pandemic agreement negotiations, Tedros also addressed other significant health concerns. He provided an update on a mysterious illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 416 cases and 31 deaths have been reported, mostly among children. Initial tests have indicated the presence of malaria, but further investigations are underway to determine if other diseases could be involved.
Tedros also spoke about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where over a million people have been displaced in the last two weeks due to military offensives, adding to the millions already affected by the conflict. The WHO has been sending medical supplies to support hospitals in Syria, including 11 truckloads of trauma and surgical supplies to the Aleppo and Idlib regions.
Tedros assured that the WHO is increasing efforts to deliver essential medicines and supplies to affected areas, including Al-Mouwasat Hospital in Damascus.
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U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
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Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
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Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
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Australia is facing the continued emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants more than five years after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
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U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, is visiting Washington this week for talks with members of the Trump administration, sparking fresh speculation over behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Moscow and Washington.
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32 others, Ukrainian officials said, as nightly attacks on the country's cities continue to mount.
In Sydney’s Bennelong, where Chinese Australians make up a large share of the electorate, the fight for votes is playing out on unexpected turf: Xiaohongshu.
Leaders from Central Asia and the European Union will meet in Samarkand on April 4 for the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, aimed at deepening ties. Talks will focus on trade, investment, green energy, and security — marking a new era of cooperation.
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