India, April 16 -- After more than three years of intensive negotiations, WHO Member States took a major step forward in efforts to make the world safer from future pandemics, by forging a draft agreement for consideration at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May.

The proposal aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemic threats, WHO said.

In December 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO Member States established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB)to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument, under the WHO Constitution, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Following 13 formal rounds of meetings, ...