The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a Pandemic Agreement aimed at improving global coordination and surveillance, as well as access to vaccines, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The agreement was negotiated over three years and seeks to prevent the disjointed responses seen during the Covid-19 crisis.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/20/world/who-adopts-landmark-pandemic-agreement/2117128The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted its first-ever Pandemic Agreement, aimed at bridging global healthcare gaps and inequities in case of future pandemics. The agreement was adopted by consensus among member countries at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, after three years of negotiations. The proposal was finalized in April this year and is a response to the Covid-19 outbreak that killed millions between 2020 and 2022. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described it as a "victory for public health, science and multilateral action".
https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/who-adopts-historic-pandemic-agreement-to-bridge-global-healthcare-gaps-inequities/Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for an end to the war on his country's territory through negotiations, with clear and realistic proposals. He urged greater international pressure on Russia, including sanctions, to prevent Moscow from buying time to occupy more Ukrainian territory. Zelensky discussed this with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and plans to speak with other allies later. In contrast, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace and is seeking to delay negotiations with the US, calling for increased EU pressure on Russia through stricter sanctions, particularly on energy exports.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/972397-zelensky-the-war-will-end-at-the-negotiating-tableThe Asean-GCC-China summit aims to shift global momentum from zero-sum posturing to mutual accommodation through deep integration of value chains, sustainable development, and shared innovation. China brings capital, technology, and infrastructure experience, while the GCC offers energy resources and sovereign wealth. Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is uniquely suited to convene this summit due to its historic role as a civilizational bridge between Islamic and Confucian traditions. The summit seeks to institutionalize peace and dialogue through the Centre for Peace, Dialogue, and Xenophobia Studies, and reaffirms Asean's centrality in Asia's diplomatic geometry.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/20/roads-in-kl-are-closed-but-confucian-islamic-civilizational-pathways-are-opening-asean-gcc-and-china-step-into-new-era-osman-bakar-and-phar-kim-beng/177431China is ready to strengthen ties with Pakistan through enhanced communication and cooperation, aiming to build a closer relationship in the new era. China supports Pakistan's stance on Arunachal Pradesh and will maintain dialogue with both India and Pakistan to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, ensuring regional peace and stability. Chinese diplomat Mao Ning emphasized the importance of China-India and China-Pakistan relations, highlighting the country's commitment to good neighborliness with neighboring countries.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40363661/pakistan-india-conflict-china-for-comprehensive-lasting-ceasefireChina's China Coast Guard handled a situation where six Filipinos illegally boarded its Tiexian Jiao despite warnings. The incident occurred in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Dejun stated that the US' actions will not deter China from safeguarding its sovereignty and legitimate rights in the region. In another incident, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel showed restraint when it encountered a Philippine Coast Guard vessel trespassing on its territory.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334492.shtmlForeign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary panel that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was strictly bilateral, dismissing US involvement and denying any nuclear signalling from Islamabad. He reiterated that Indian Air Forces hit Pakistani airbases hard during Op Sindoor, contradicting Trump's claims of his administration's role in brokering the ceasefire.
https://indiatoday.in/india/story/no-us-role-ceasefire-nuclear-signalling-pakistan-foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-tells-parliament-panel-2727150-2025-05-19Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed MPs on India's fight against terrorism, highlighting Operation Sindoor. Seven lawmakers will lead delegations to different countries, including Shashi Tharoor to the US, Supriya Sule to South Africa and Egypt, Baijayant Panda to Western Europe, and Sanjay Jha to Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The delegations aim to convey India's "zero-tolerance" stance against terrorism.
https://www.firstpost.com/india/misri-briefs-parliamentary-delegation-on-op-sindoor-pak-terror-campaign-13890047.htmlJapanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics agreed to upgrade Japan-Latvia ties amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations during their talks in Tokyo, with a focus on cooperation in areas such as defense and trade.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250520/p2g/00m/0in/002000c