The World Health Organization (WHO) launched on Wednesday a negotiation plan to reach an international agreement to prevent and fight the next pandemic more effectively.

The 194 members of the WHO were unanimous in their decision, after three days of meetings of the World Health Assembly, the Organization's highest decision-making body.

According to the Australian ambassador to the United Nations, Sally Mansfield the agreement "represents a shared commitment to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, taking into account the lessons that have been learned." However, last Sunday there had already been an informal agreement on the document, which the United States of America and the European Union signed.

As of now, the WHO members are to work on developing the document and decide whether this international instrument will be binding - like a treaty - or not.

The proposal for a binding international instrument - backed by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreysus - was presented at the end of March during a forum attended by leaders from several countries.

However, there is still a long way to go before a treaty or other international instrument on pandemics can be realized.

The draft agreement initially provides for the creation of "an intergovernmental body" to draft and negotiate "a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response."

An interim report is expected in May 2023, followed by conclusions in May 2024.