WHO adopts global pandemic agreement

` Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted an agreement yesterday to better prepare for future pandemics following the disjointed global response to Covid-19, but the absence of the US cast doubt on the treaty's effectiveness.

After three years of negotiations, the legally binding pact was adopted by the World Health Assembly in Geneva. WHO member countries welcomed its passing with applause. The pact was touted as a victory for members of the global health agency at a time when multilateral organisations like the WHO have been battered by sharp cuts in US foreign funding.

"The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The pact would ensure that drugs, therapeutics and vaccines are globally accessible when the next pandemic hits. It requires participating manufacturers to allocate a target of 20 percent of their vaccines, medicines, and tests to the WHO during a pandemic to ensure poorer countries have access.

However, US negotiators left discussions about the accord after President Donald Trump began a 12-month process of withdrawing the US - by far the WHO's largest financial backer - from the agency when he took office in January.

Given this, the US, which poured billions of dollars into vaccine development during the Covid pandemic, would not be bound by the pact. And WHO member states would not face penalties if they fail to implement it.

The deal was reached after Slovakia called for a vote on Monday, as its Covid-19 vaccine sceptic prime minister demanded that his country challenge the adoption of the agreement.