Geneva [Switzerland], May 20: In a landmark decision aimed at fortifying global health systems, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday unanimously adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly.
The agreement, years in the making, seeks to enhance global cooperation, ensure equitable access to vaccines and life-saving tools, and reinforce respect for national sovereignty during future pandemics.
In its official statement, WHO announced:
“Member States…formally adopted by consensus the world’s first Pandemic Agreement…culminating more than three years of intensive negotiations launched in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A “Victory for Public Health”
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the agreement, calling it a milestone for international public health cooperation.
“The world is safer today, thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our Member States to adopt this historic WHO Pandemic Agreement,” he said.
“This is a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action. It ensures we can better protect the world from future pandemic threats.”
Key Elements of the Agreement
Adopted during a plenary session of the World Health Assembly — WHO’s top decision-making body — the agreement outlines a framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. It emphasizes:
- Stronger international coordination
- Timely and equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics
- Transparency and information sharing
- Capacity-building and technical support for lower-income countries
Respect for National Sovereignty
While promoting global solidarity, the agreement carefully safeguards the sovereign rights of nations over their public health decisions. The text explicitly clarifies that:
“Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing the Secretariat of the WHO…any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe national or domestic law or mandate actions such as travel bans, lockdowns, or vaccine mandates.”
This provision addresses concerns over potential overreach and assures that countries retain full control over their pandemic responses.
Approval and Global Support
The agreement had been preliminarily approved in committee on Monday, with 124 countries voting in favour, none opposing, and 11 abstaining. The final plenary adoption by consensus marks a rare moment of global unity amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Conclusion
The WHO Pandemic Agreement represents the most significant international health accord since the International Health Regulations of 2005. Designed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s profound global toll, the agreement is expected to shape pandemic response mechanisms for generations, ensuring preparedness, equity, and resilience in the face of future global health crises.