The 13th Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) talks resumed on Monday, with negotiators trying to finalize a draft pandemic agreement. Despite reaching agreement on most issues, a deadlock remains over whether technology transfer for pandemic products should always be voluntary. Negotiations are set to continue on Tuesday, with several member states needing to clarify their positions. Thirty legal experts have expressed concerns that insisting on voluntary measures could undermine countries’ sovereign rights. The pharmaceutical industry and European nations are also at odds on this issue. WHO Deputy Director-General Dr. Mike Ryan emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement before the World Health Assembly meeting in May. Various proposals, including using a caveat “without prejudice,” have been made to overcome the deadlock. While negotiators continue to work towards a resolution, time is running short to finalize the draft. Despite the challenges, Dr. Ryan highlighted the significance of countries coming together to protect global health. The negotiations are a critical step in developing a pandemic agreement that will benefit billions of people worldwide. The global community is urged to support health policy reporting from the global South to combat misinformation and promote evidence-based news and analysis.
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