Pandemic Agreement: WHO Boosts Global Health Security
Bolstering global health security, the WHO has adopted a historic Pandemic Agreement. This landmark accord aims to fortify international collaboration, ensuring a more equitable and effective response to future pandemics—a direct lesson from the COVID-19 crisis. The agreement underscores key principles for stronger international coordination, and emphasizes equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics—the core of effective pandemic preparedness. Discussions on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing are the next steps, demonstrating the WHO’s commitment to protecting the world from potential future threats.News Directory 3 keeps you informed on these pivotal developments. Discover what’s next in global health security.
WHO Adopts landmark Pandemic Agreement for Global Health Security
Updated May 28, 2025
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) member states have formally adopted the first Pandemic Agreement, a landmark accord designed to improve global collaboration and ensure a more equitable response to future pandemics. This decision, reached by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly, concludes three years of intensive negotiations spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact and the need for a more robust global health architecture.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom ghebreyesus hailed the agreement as a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action.He emphasized that the pandemic preparedness pact will better protect the world from future health threats, acknowledging the severe losses endured during the COVID-19 crisis.
The agreement was approved by a vote of 124 in favor, with 11 abstentions, during a World Health Assembly committee meeting. Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, president of this year’s World Health assembly and Secretary of the Philippines Department of Health, stressed the urgency of implementing the agreement’s critical elements, including equitable access to life-saving health products.
The global health security agreement outlines principles,approaches,and tools for enhanced international coordination across various areas.These include equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, strengthening the global health infrastructure for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
“The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our Member States to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement,” said Dr Tedros adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
What’s next
The WHO Pandemic Agreement resolution includes launching a process to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). The Assembly will consider the results of this process next year. Once the Assembly adopts the PABS annex, the WHO Pandemic agreement will be open for signature and ratification, requiring 60 ratifications to enter into force.