There’s only five weeks left for member states to agree on a pandemic treaty. Some are hopeful that the upcoming negotiations starting at the end of the month will produce more concrete and meaningful results, but it’s likely that some of the more complex issues will be deferred for further negotiations, which comes with its own risks.
“With what is left, I'm hopeful because I see the cup as half full, and I'm an optimist. I do think that we will get there,” Precious Matsoso, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body established to help draft and negotiate a pandemic agreement, said during an event at the Geneva Graduate Institute on Wednesday.
The INB has another two-week marathon session starting April 29 where member states are expected to finalize the text for the agreement, as well as a resolution for the agreement to be introduced to the World Health Assembly in May.