WHO adopts a 'pandemic agreement' after the chaos of COVID

World Health Organization member countries on Tuesday approved an agreement to better prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics in the wake of the devastation wrought by the coronavirus.

Sustained applause echoed in a Geneva hall hosting the WHO’s annual assembly as the measure — debated and devised over three years — passed without opposition.

The U.S., traditionally the top donor to the U.N. health agency, was not part of the final stages of the pandemic agreement process after the Trump administration announced a U.S. pullout from the WHO.