UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon urged Tuesday countries in the coming weeks to reach agreement on sharing of samples of viral and other materials, as well as data on outbreaks of the current spreading influenza in line with international health regulations, Xinhua reported.
Ban made the remarks at a monthly briefing held here in the UN headquarters.
He also called on countries to agree to establish coordinated long-term financing mechanisms for supporting poorer countries so that they are able to build their defenses against global health threats.
Ban told the briefing to ensure that the World Health Organization has all the resources it needs, when it needs them.
He asked countries to reverse restrictions on trade and travel unless there is clear scientific evidence that it is necessary.
Ban said he will begin these discussions in earnest when he travels to Geneva later this month for the World Health Assembly.
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