WHO aims to finalise a pandemic pact by May 2025, despite uncertainty under Trump’s leadership, as nations negotiate global collaboration amid ongoing health crises.
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief expressed confidence on Tuesday that a pandemic agreement could be finalised by May 2025, despite uncertainty over support from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Negotiations among the WHO’s 194 member states have been ongoing for two years to enhance global collaboration on pandemics after shortcomings during COVID-19. A prior attempt to finalise the agreement this year failed, and with right-wing critics claiming it threatens sovereignty, a deal appears less certain under Trump.
“They (countries) are committed to finalising the agreement in time for the World Health Assembly next May. I remain confident they will,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a Geneva press briefing.
Ghebreyesus emphasised a long-standing partnership with the U.S., stating, "U.S. leaders understand that the United States cannot be safe unless the rest of the world is safe."
Separately, Tedros reported that malaria was detected in 10 early samples from a mystery illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo but cautioned this might not exclude other diseases.
He also highlighted increased strain on Syria's fragile health system due to the displacement of 1 million people in the wake of a rebel offensive, noting that returning refugees could further exacerbate the crisis. The WHO is providing trauma supplies to hospitals and supporting other facilities in the region.
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At a WHO supported malnutrition ward in Khartoum, doctors and mothers describe children arriving too weak to eat or drink as nearly three years of conflict, displacement and disease push Sudan towards famine.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
China became Brazil’s largest source of imported vehicles in January, overtaking long-time leader Argentina in a shift that underscores Beijing’s rapidly expanding influence in one of Latin America’s biggest auto markets.
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Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed infections may be underestimated due to limited testing requirements.
Two Nipah infections involving health workers in India have triggered heightened screening across Southeast Asia as authorities move to prevent the high fatality virus from spreading beyond the country.
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