In a landmark decision, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, marking a pivotal moment in global health governance and solidarity. The agreement, approved by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly, is the result of more than three years of intense negotiations initiated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adopted unanimously in plenary following a vote in committee (124 in favor, none opposed, and 11 abstentions), the new international accord sets out a framework to improve global collaboration, ensure equitable access to life-saving tools, and better prepare the world for future pandemics.
A Collective Commitment to “Never Again”
“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. “It is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. The agreement ensures we can collectively protect the world from future pandemic threats and avoid the devastating losses suffered during COVID-19.”
The new agreement reflects key lessons learned during the pandemic, particularly the glaring gaps and inequities in access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. It sets out shared principles and tools to strengthen international coordination in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
A Blueprint for Global Solidarity
Presiding over the adoption, Dr Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of Health of the Philippines and President of this year’s World Health Assembly, praised countries for acting with “great purpose, dedication and urgency.”
“Now that the agreement has been brought to life, we must all act with the same urgency to implement its critical elements,” said Dr Herbosa. “This includes building systems to guarantee equitable access to pandemic-related health products. As COVID was a once-in-a-lifetime emergency, this agreement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better protect people across the world.”
The WHO Pandemic Agreement lays the foundation for better pandemic response coordination across borders. It emphasizes timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures and acknowledges the importance of national sovereignty. It explicitly states that the WHO will not have the authority to impose mandates or override national laws.
What’s Next: Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing
With the agreement adopted, attention now turns to its implementation. A key next step is the negotiation of a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. This mechanism, to be drafted by a newly formed Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), will outline how genetic materials from emerging pathogens will be shared and how benefits—like vaccines and treatments—will be equitably distributed.
According to the resolution, pharmaceutical companies participating in the PABS system must offer rapid access to 20% of their real-time production of pandemic-related vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics—prioritizing countries most in need, particularly in the Global South.
Building New Systems for the Future
The Assembly also directed the IGWG to take steps toward establishing a Coordinating Financial Mechanism to support pandemic prevention and response, as well as a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL). The GSCL will aim to remove barriers and ensure countries in need can access critical health products swiftly and affordably during future public health emergencies.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement is only the second legally binding international treaty negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. The first was the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted in 2003.
Once a final annex for the PABS system is adopted and at least 60 countries ratify the agreement, it will enter into force—ushering in a new era of global health solidarity and pandemic preparedness.
