GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — A last round of talks aimed at securing a global consensus on tackling future pandemics got underway on Monday, without the United States (US) but with pressure building to strike a deal.

The week of negotiations aims to finalise an international agreement before the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual general meeting in May.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he believed participants were “ready to make history” so the world was prepared for the next global health crisis.

“I believe we are too close to throw it all away. I believe you are ready to secure consensus,” he told delegates.

“The world needs a strong signal that in these divided and divisive times, countries can still come together to collaborate and find common ground.

“The Pandemic Agreement can be that signal and you can be the ones to give it.”

WHO member states resolved in December 2021 to strike a deal aimed at preventing but also preparing for future pandemics to avoid mistakes made during COVID.

But major disputes have slowed negotiations, including the sharing of data on emerging pathogens and resulting vaccines, tests and treatment but also surveillance.

“The COVID-19 pandemic may now seem like a distant memory, overtaken by conflict and geopolitical and economic disruption,” Tedros said.

“But the next pandemic will not wait until things calm down. It could happen in 20 years or more or it could happen tomorrow.

“But it will happen and either way we must be ready.”

The last round of negotiations wrapped up without a deal in February and after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO.