(1) The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention (PGPHC) expressed disappointment today over indications that the World Health Assembly is planning to postpone until November 2021 the decision to start preparing a new pandemic treaty. At a time when the world needs urgent action, a delay of any length undermines the momentum toward bringing countries together to ratify a global public health treaty or convention. The draft resolution, which is currently under consideration at the WHA, calls for the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene a special session of the WHA in autumn. In the meantime, a working group would assess the benefits of developing a WHO convention, or another instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.