WHO meets for first time since end of coronavirus pandemic

GENEVA, May 21 (dpa): Providing equitable access to healthcare for underdeveloped nations is to be the focus at the annual World Health Organization (WHO) meeting kicking off Sunday in Geneva.

It is the first round of talks in three years for the WHO, which had put the annual meetings on hold due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The 194 member countries will discuss basic access to healthcare for the world's 8 billion citizens and table its 2024-2025 budget.

It is expected that the compulsory contributions from member states will be increased. Until now, the WHO has relied on voluntary contributions.

In early May, the WHO lifted the highest alert level for the coronavirus pandemic and the global monkeypox outbreak, declaring the international health emergencies - in both cases - to be over.

However, health experts warned the viruses continue to circulate and mutate, and that new threats are possible and must therefore be closely monitored.

WHO countries are also negotiating a new pandemic treaty, to ensure governments are better prepared for future pandemics and that outbreaks can be contained more quickly.

The draft treaty - not expected to be presented until 2024 - will also include guidelines on how to distribute vaccines and medicines more equitably. - dpa