WHO chief urges world to prepare for next pandemic

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the world must prepare for the next pandemic, which the WHO chief warned could be bigger than Covid.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the world must defend itself against a virus that could be more deadly than Covid-19. In a speech to the annual health assembly in Geneva, he stressed the importance of prioritizing negotiations aimed at preventing future epidemics. Despite the World Health Organization's declaration that Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, Dr Tedros warned that the pandemic is far from over.

The Next Pandemic ‘Even Deadlier’ Than COVID Is Coming, Warns WHO Chief

The head of the World Health Organization urged countries to carry out the reforms needed to prepare for the next pandemic and honor a previous commitment to boost financing for the UN health agency. pic.twitter.com/n30r6oYvDp

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In a viral tweet from the WHO chief's full address, Dr Tedros can be seen saying: "The threat of another variant causing a new surge in disease and death remains. The threat of another pathogen emerges. Even more deadly remains."

The 10-day annual World Health Assembly in Geneva, marking the WHO's 75th anniversary, is expected to address global health issues such as future epidemics, polio eradication and measures to mitigate the health emergency in Ukraine caused by Russia's invasion.

Despite these dire warnings, Tedros praised the recent decision by WHO member states to draft a pandemic agreement, while also approving a budget increase.

Tedros also called for new negotiations on the International Health Regulations, an agreement that outlines health-crisis preparedness and response, "so the world never again has to face the devastation of an epidemic like COVID-19."