UN tries to build momentum on pandemic preparedness, but hits a speed bump
Six years after COVID-19 forced the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting of world leaders to go virtual, pandemic preparedness is no longer the primary focus of the global gathering. Prime Minister Khalilur Rahman, in opening a day-long meeting on the topic, recalled the challenges of the pandemic and the lessons learned. However, other pressing issues such as wars, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and artificial intelligence have taken center stage.
While several international funds, collaborations, and agreements have emerged to tackle pandemic threats, countries struggled to reach consensus on a declaration to cap the special pandemic meeting. The draft declaration aims to enhance preparedness, coordination, financing, lab capacity, medication and vaccine access, and gender equality in health policies.
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