On Monday, the WHO appealed to countries to reform their preparedness for the next pandemic. The head of the global health agency also called on member nations to fulfil their previous pledge to raise annual financing for the WHO

Weeks after the WHO declared the end of the global emergency for the Covid pandemic that killed millions and wreaked economic havoc worldwide in over two years, it called for reforms to prevent the next pandemic.

What does preventing the next pandemic entail? The WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged member states to move forward with negotiations on how to prevent the next pandemic.

He said in a major speech to the agency’s member states, “We cannot kick this can down the road,” warning that the next pandemic would inevitably “come knocking”.

He said, “If we do not make the changes that must be made, then who will? And if we do not make them now, then when?”

World Health Assembly in Geneva The annual World Health Assembly in Geneva, which lasts for 10 days, marks the 75th anniversary of the WHO. It aims to tackle global health challenges, including future pandemics.

The 194 member states of the WHO are currently negotiating reforms to the binding rules that set their obligations in case of an international health threat. The member states are also reportedly working on a wider pandemic treaty. This treaty will be ratified next year.