Members of the World Health Organization have reached a draft agreement, in principle, on a pandemic preparedness treaty.



Final talks began on Monday at the WHO headquarters in Switzerland, with members reaching a broad agreement on Saturday.



It's been three years since discussions started on the international treaty. The pact is aimed at strengthening global defenses against future diseases, based on lessons learned from the recent coronavirus pandemic.



The draft calls for countries to design plans that help to prevent pandemics, and to build up the capacity to produce vaccines and related health products, in particular for the benefit of developing nations.



The WHO also wants to establish a new multilateral system to share information on pathogens with pandemic potential.



This framework also calls for each participating drug manufacturer to donate at least 10 percent of its production. It aims to equalize distribution of vaccines and drugs during a future pandemic. Further negotiations are expected to be held over the details.



Consensus on part of the draft has not yet been reached. The WHO members plan to meet again next week with the aim for the draft to be formally adopted at the World Health Assembly in May.



The United States left the discussions earlier this year following President Donald Trump's executive order withdrawing from the WHO and barring any further participation in the treaty process.