World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the United States will withdraw from the intergovernmental process of negotiating a pandemic accord.

In negotiations that started in 2022, WHO member states are aiming to reach an agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Negotiators hope to adopt a deal at the annual WHO assembly in May.

In the latest round of intergovernmental talks that kicked off in Geneva on Monday, Tedros said the WHO received a notice from the administration of President Donald Trump last week regarding its decision to pull the US out of the negotiation framework.

Tedros said, "We regret this decision." But he added that the member states "have found agreement on so many issues. The finish line is in sight."

The proposed pact calls for promoting the transfer of technology to developing countries, as well as the sharing of information on pathogens with pandemic potential.

A South African delegate who co-chaired the talks told NHK that countries have to act hand-in-hand because there are no borders when it comes to pandemics.