Geneva, May 21 – Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a landmark pandemic agreement on Monday, setting the stage for its formal adoption during the plenary session of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday.
The resolution marks the culmination of more than three years of negotiations, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, to strengthen global prevention, preparedness, and response to future public health emergencies. If adopted, the WHO Pandemic Agreement would become the first global accord aimed at closing the gaps exposed by COVID-19.
The agreement was approved under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution and aims to promote international collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and global health organizations. It sets out commitments for equitable access to pandemic-related resources and reinforces the principles of equity, solidarity, and science-based public health decisions.
“Governments from all over the world are making their countries, and our interconnected global community, more equitable, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses of pandemic potential,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This global accord will ensure countries work better, faster, and more equitably together.”
As part of the agreement, member states committed to establishing a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. Under this system, pharmaceutical companies will provide WHO with 20% of their real-time production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics during a pandemic emergency, ensuring rapid and equitable distribution, particularly to developing countries.
The resolution also outlines the creation of a Coordinating Financial Mechanism to support pandemic prevention and response efforts, and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to ensure timely and affordable access to health products during global emergencies.
“The costs that COVID inflicted on lives, livelihoods and economies were great and many, and we – as sovereign states – have resolved to join hands, as one world together,” said Dr Esperance Luvindao, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Chair of the Committee A session.
The final agreement, including the annex on PABS, will be open for ratification by national legislatures after the next phase of negotiations. It will enter into force following ratification by 60 countries.
The agreement aligns with updates to the International Health Regulations adopted last year, aimed at improving global outbreak detection and response capabilities.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in 2021, led the drafting process. Its bureau was co-chaired by representatives from South Africa and France, with support from WHO experts and secretariat staff.
Dr Tedros praised the INB and the WHO team for their “tireless work,” adding, “This group of individuals deserves enormous credit and thanks from the international community for helping make the world safer for future generations.”
