( MENAFN - Swissinfo) Talks aimed at reaching a global agreement on how to better fight pandemics will be concluded by 2025 or earlier if possible, the Geneva-based World health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. Do you want to read our weekly top stories? Subscribe here . WHO members are extending by a year the negotiations for an agreement to combat the pandemics that continue to divide them.

On Saturday in Geneva, they succeeded in approving amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), including the launch of a“pandemic emergency”. “This evening, we have all won,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told states.“The world has won.

” On the pandemic treaty, the 194 members agreed to a special session in the event of an treaty being finalised before the end of the year. The African group wanted an extension until the end of December. Western nations, in particular Switzerland, were in favour of more room for manoeuvre.

The solution reflects the American desire for an extension of“one to two years”. + Inside Geneva Podcast: Will we get a pandemic treaty? “Having a deadline was important,” Tedros told reporters.“The next pandemic is only a matter of time”.

He added that governments probably won't take a year to reach a decision. A few days ago, the co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiating group were forced to report the lack of consensus on the content to the World Health Assembly. Out of 34 articles, half are no longer i.