World must now build on the pandemic treaty
Another factor that will have a significant impact on the treaty's eventual effectiveness is the absence of the US, at WHO and within the list of likely signatories. Given it is a powerhouse of pathology and medicine research, its rejection of the treaty has serious implications for technology-sharing and surveillance, among others, hindering pandemic management. And its refusal to fund WHO — it was the body's largest historical funder — will mean the watchdog is left with very little teeth unless China or Europe fills the vacuum. The pandemic treaty is certainly a foundation, but if an edifice of global health cooperation can be raised remains to be seen.
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