By Emma Farge and Jennifer Rigby

GENEVA (Reuters) – Hundreds of fitness ministers and diplomats from around the world will gather in Geneva this week for the World Health Organization’s first in-person meeting in three years, as the United Nations firm seeks to outline its long-term role in the world. fitness policy.

The World Health Assembly (WHA) calendar is the most active in WHO’s 75-year history and is perceived as a historic opportunity to move from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 15 million lives, to preparing for the next global crisis. bud. [L5N2X96B0]

However, many of the most urgent issues, such as reforms to epidemic regulations, will be postponed or discussed only in the corridors.

Here is a summary of what will be and will be discussed:

ON THE AGENDA. . . .

INCREASED WHO FUNDING

Last month, donors agreed to a “fundamental” agreement to increase their mandatory contributions to the WHO budget to 50% of the budget until 2028-2029 or 2030-31. In return, WHO agreed to review its reform proposals.

Currently, its constant prices constitute only a fraction (16%) of WHO’s overall budget, meaning it funds some programmes as cash is set aside for donor’s favourite projects. The meeting approved the deal on Tuesday.

RE-ELECTION OF TEDROS

Ethiopian WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was re-elected on Tuesday by secret ballot, after overcoming complaints from his own government and a crisis last year following reports of sexual abuse against WHO staff in Congo.

During the assembly, Tedros is also expected to renew the global fitness agency’s “three billion” goals of strengthening universal fitness, fitness and wellness coverage, and greater protection of others in the event of a fitness emergency.

UKRAINE

The WHO Europe Region followed an opposite solution to Russia this month and asked Tedros to prepare a report on the physical emergency in Ukraine.

Members have a solution ready to be voted on at Thursday’s meeting, diplomats say it will prevent Russia’s voting rights from being postponed, as some had requested in the first place. Moscow has a rival solution ready.

IHR REFORMS

Reforms to the legally binding rules governing countries’ obligations in relation to public fitness emergencies, the International Health Regulations (IHR), will be discussed.

However, it will be a U. S. -led effort. The U. S. Government is working to push for the implementation of long-term reforms from 24 months to 12 months, who senior legal officer Steve Solomon said. Africa has expressed opposition to the plan.

OUT OF PROGRAM. . . .

ORIGINS OF COVID

The WHO has tasked a clinical advisory panel to investigate the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus after an initial investigation into the first cases of COVID-19 in China last year left some questions unanswered. A WHO spokesman said the group’s report was expected soon. however, it would not be released as a component of the assembly.

REFORM OF THE RULES

Most negotiations on IHR reform will take a position within two years of the meeting, according to diplomats.

These come with sensitive elements proposed through Washington, such as the deployment of expert groups at outbreak sites and a new compliance committee to monitor implementation of the rules, a WHO document showed.

Russia has introduced reforms, according to diplomats.

PANDEMIC TREATY

The IHR is considered inadequate to deal with a global pandemic and Tedros is seeking a new treaty on the pandemic. Proposals for the new pact may come with regulations on vaccine exchanges and a proposal to ban markets.

Negotiations are expected to continue in June and a final treaty, whose legal prestige is yet to be determined, would not be in place until 2024.

PANDEMIC FUND

The G20 agreed to create a billion-dollar global pandemic preparedness fund to be established outside the WHO, possibly at the World Bank. .

(Information through Emma Farge in Geneva and Jennifer Rigthrough in London; additional information through Alistair Smout in London; Editing via Frank Jack Daniel)