WHO Members Reach Historic Agreement on Future Pandemic Preparedness

Geneva – In a landmark development, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have reached a legally binding agreement aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. The announcement comes after more than three years of intense negotiations, launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed millions of lives between 2020 and 2022.

The new pandemic accord seeks to reinforce global defences against emerging health threats by fostering stronger international collaboration, enhancing research capacity across regions, and creating systems for equitable access to pathogens and their benefits. The agreement also proposes the establishment of a global supply chain and logistics network, alongside strategies to boost health system resilience and pandemic readiness.

“This is a historic moment and a major step forward in efforts to make the world safer from pandemics,” the WHO said in a statement released early Wednesday.

The agreement is seen as a major victory for the WHO, particularly at a time when international institutions have faced challenges due to political divisions and funding cuts—most notably from the United States. The U.S., under the leadership of President Donald Trump, withdrew from the WHO and exited the negotiations earlier this year via an executive order issued in February.

Despite the U.S. departure, global health experts praised the agreement as a testament to international cooperation. “This is a historic moment and a show that with or without the US, countries are committed to working together and to the power of multilateralism,” said Nina Schwalbe, founder of the global health think tank Spark Street Advisors.

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The finalized proposal will be presented for consideration at the upcoming World Health Assembly policy meeting in May. If adopted, it will mark a significant step in ensuring that the global community is better prepared to detect, respond to, and recover from future pandemics.