World ‘unprepared’ for next pandemic as countries fail to agree on sharing information, tests and vaccines

Finalisation of pact governing global response to disease outbreaks delayed as talks on how to share benefits stall

A key deadline to finalise a global pandemic treaty has been missed by negotiators, prompting warnings that the world remains unprepared for the next major disease outbreak.

Countries have been trying to agree how they should share information on pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, that could cause pandemics – and what access to any resulting vaccines, tests and treatments they should be guaranteed in return.