STORY: :: The World Health Organization chief says he's confidentmember states will one day agree on a pandemic treaty :: May 27, 2024:: Geneva, Switzerland:: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General“Of course, we all wish that we had been able to reach a consensus on the agreement in time for this health assembly and cross the finish line. But I remain confident that you still will, because where there is a will, there is a way. I know that there remains among you a common will to get this done.”Health officials from the WHO's 194 member states are seeking to wrap up more than two years of negotiations on new rules for responding to pandemics during the May 27-June 1 World Health Assembly in Geneva.However, the top prize, a legally-binding pandemic treaty to shore up the world's defenses against future pathogens after COVID-19 killed millions, has proved elusive, and negotiators failed to produce a draft deal on Friday (May 24) for formal approval by the assembly this week.Negotiations are still ongoing for an update to existing health rules on outbreaks and negotiators say that a deal is close.