LIVE: Six years on from COVID-19, is the world ready for the next pandemic?

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How Honduras first performed genomic sequencing of the COVID-19 virus to detect circulating variants in June 2023. (file)
  • UN News

COVID-19 killed millions, shattered health systems and brought the global economy to a virtual standstill. World leaders are meeting Friday to review the lessons learned and cement a new approach to prevention and preparation for the next pandemic. Hopes are high that a World Health Organization-led international agreement can move forward.

COVID-19 killed millions, shattered health systems and brought the global economy to a virtual standstill. World leaders are meeting Friday to review the lessons learned and cement a new approach to prevention and preparation for the next pandemic. Hopes are high that a World Health Organization-led international agreement can move forward.

What you need to know:

  • Negotiations advanced last week on a new system to underpin a faster and more equitable response to future pandemics following the latest meeting of a WHO Intergovernmental Working Group
  • World leaders will be reviewing lessons learned from COVID-19, which showed how quickly a local outbreak can become a global emergency and exposed major inequalities in health access
  • Discussions will spotlight how best to strengthen health systems, improve readiness and ensure a more equitable international response

Watch live on UN Web TV:

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