“The (terms of reference) have been negotiated transparently with all WHO member states,” he said by videoconference, referring to the mission criteria. “Understanding the origins of COVID-19 through transparent and inclusive research is the right thing to do. “
In recent months, a long-planned WHO-led team seeking to investigate the animal origins of coronavirus in China has stagnated. While pandemic constraints and a focus on containing the overwhelming number of new coronavirus cases have confusing issues, some scientists are involved in China still having to provide key key points for studies already underway.
The US’s objections to the US and its allies in the Middle East have been a But it’s not the first time They came from an independent WHO panel that assessed their control of the overall reaction to COVID-19 that examined whether the UN fitness company had sufficient strength and investment to prevent long-term pandemics.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who co-considers the panel, said the organization is interested in building an exact timeline of the first coronavirus alerts and responses taken.
“The Independent Panel will do its best to carefully address what has happened, what is still happening and why,” Clark said. “We ask whether WHO has the right mandate, the right powers, the right roles and the right investment to get ready for and respond to a pandemic. “
Critics, adding President Donald Trump, have criticized WHO for allegedly “collusion” with China to hide the scope of the initial coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that senior Chinese officials had not warned the public about the risk of pandemic coronavirus. for six days and had stopped sharing the virus’s genetic series and key knowledge with WHO experts.
Clark said the organization will also read about “the extent to which the World Health Organization and the foreign formula as a whole have met the wishes and expectations of countries. “
On Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked for more funding and said the agency’s budget is the equivalent of what the world spends on tobacco every day.
Clark has moved away from criticizing WHO or member states like China for their efforts with COVID-19.
Last month, Germany and France called on European Union countries to have more powers to independently investigate outbreaks in countries and increase investment.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration cut off U. S. investment to WHO and promised to withdraw the UNITED States, its largest donor, from the UN fitness firm until next summer. President-elect Joe Biden said he planned to keep america in the organization. .
The WHO assembly ends on Saturday. So far, the world has recorded more than 50 million cases of coronavirus and 1. 26 million deaths, but experts say all numbers underestimate the true number of pandemic victims.
———
Track the AP coronavirus pandemic in http://apnews. com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews. com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
24/7 policy of the latest news and events