By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters), – The World Health Organization member countries have reached a preliminary consensus on a future agreement to prevent pandemics. It will be a bridge between US and European Union sides, diplomats announced on Sunday.

They said that the draft resolution was hammered out during negotiations this weekend and will be submitted for adoption by health ministers at Monday’s WHO special assembly, which opens on Monday.

This was in the midst of growing concern about the Omicron Coronavrius variant. It was discovered for the first time this month in South Africa. The virus has now spread around the world.

The global agreement for strengthening pandemic response and prevention is expected to be in place by May 2024. It would include sharing data, genome sequences, as well as any possible vaccines or drugs that may have been developed from research.

Simon Manley, Britain’s ambassador at the United Nations, stated that the decision to set up a negotiating committee on future pandemic agreements may not be final but was a sign of what is to come.

Along with 70 other nations, Britain had advocated for a legally binding treaty. Diplomats revealed last week that the United States was supported by Brazil, India and other states but refused to enter into a binding deal.

According to a European diplomat, “There’s agreement on text that is satisfying for us.” The agreement also provides an exit route for the Americans, who clearly are joined together.

A diplomat added: “It’s a positive outcome…There was tremendous goodwill to obtain common language.”

On the WHO Website, you can find the draft resolution.

According to reports, more than 260.7 million people were infected with the coronavirus. 5.45 million people died from SARS-CoV-2 in China. WHO states that China is yet to share some of the early data it has that could help determine where this virus originated.