WHO Approves Historic Pandemic Agreement to Strengthen Global Health Security
Global Collaboration Paves Way for Equitable Pandemic Response
Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, marking a significant step toward a more resilient global health system. The agreement, which was approved by consensus during the 78th World Health Assembly, aims to address the gaps and inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure a more equitable response to future health crises.
Three Years of Negotiation Yield Major Progress
The agreement was the result of more than three years of intense negotiations, driven by the need to improve international coordination in pandemic preparedness. The process began after the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a unified global approach to public health emergencies.
Key Elements of the Pandemic Agreement
- The agreement outlines principles and tools for strengthening the global health architecture, including equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
- It emphasizes the importance of national sovereignty, ensuring that no country is compelled to take specific actions such as travel bans or vaccination mandates.
- Next steps include negotiations on a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system, which will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly.
Leaders Highlight the Agreement’s Significance
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised the agreement as a victory for public health and multilateral cooperation. He emphasized that the agreement will help protect the world from future pandemic threats and ensure that no country is left vulnerable to the same crises that affected the world during the pandemic.
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, President of this year’s World Health Assembly, stressed the importance of implementing the agreement’s critical elements, including systems to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related health products. He called for urgent action to turn the agreement into a reality.
Steps for Implementation and Future Actions
The agreement sets the stage for the next phase of implementation. A process will be launched to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system through an Intergovernmental Working Group. The result of this process will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly.
Additionally, the IGWG will take steps to establish the Coordinating Financial Mechanism for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, as well as the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network. These initiatives aim to enhance equitable access to pandemic-related health products for countries in need.
Global Health Architecture and Equitable Access
The WHO Pandemic Agreement is the second international legal agreement negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, following the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The agreement underscores the importance of a coordinated global health system that prioritizes the needs of all countries, especially those in developing regions.
Next Steps and Global Implications
Once the Assembly adopts the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, the WHO Pandemic Agreement will be open for signature and ratification by national legislative bodies. After 60 ratifications, the agreement will enter into force, marking a major milestone in global health security.
The agreement represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on the lessons learned from the pandemic and ensure that future health crises are met with a more prepared and equitable global response.