The global community has failed to reach an agreement on a key deadline for finalising a pandemic treaty, leaving the world unprepared for the next major disease outbreak, according to a recent report.
Negotiators had been working towards a deal that would establish guidelines for sharing information on pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, that could cause pandemics, as well as access to tests and vaccines.
However, the talks have stalled due to disagreements over how benefits from the treaty should be shared, with some countries pushing for greater access to life-saving treatments and others resisting.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the failure to reach an agreement on the pandemic treaty is a major setback for global health security.
According to the WHO, the treaty is essential for ensuring that countries are prepared to respond to disease outbreaks in a coordinated and effective manner.
The UK is not immune to the risks of a pandemic, with the NHS facing significant challenges in responding to major outbreaks. A recent report by the National Audit Office found that the NHS is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and is not yet fully prepared for future outbreaks.