In a landmark decision, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, a critical step toward strengthening global pandemic preparedness and ensuring a more equitable response to future health crises. The agreement, endorsed by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), follows three years of negotiations prompted by the inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the adoption, calling it a “victory for public health, science, and multilateral action.” He emphasized that the agreement would improve international coordination and better protect nations from future pandemic threats.
The agreement outlines provisions for equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics while reaffirming national sovereignty, ensuring that WHO cannot impose mandates such as lockdowns or vaccination requirements.
U.S. Absence Sparks Speculation
Despite the historic nature of the meeting, the United States appears set to skip this year’s WHA, marking the first time since 1948 that no U.S. delegation is present at the Assembly. A provisional list of WHA delegates published late Sunday night included no reference to U.S. participation, raising questions about Washington’s stance on the agreement.
In contrast, China has reportedly dispatched one of its largest-ever delegations—over 180 representatives from its Ministry of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and leading universities. Former WHO Legal Counsel Gian Luca Burci highlighted this discrepancy at a WHA preview session, noting that “China always sends a huge delegation because they want to cover everything going on at WHA, including side events.”
While the U.S. Mission has not publicly addressed the absence, speculation remains as to whether this signals a broader strategic withdrawal from global health diplomacy.
Next Steps: Pathogen Sharing and Global Supply Chains
As part of the agreement’s implementation, WHO member states will begin negotiations on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System (PABS) to ensure fair distribution of pandemic-related health products. Pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in PABS will be expected to contribute up to 20% of their real-time production of vaccines and treatments for rapid distribution.
Additionally, the WHO will oversee the establishment of a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to remove barriers to access and improve emergency response capabilities.
A Turning Point for Global Health
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, President of this year’s WHA, emphasized that implementing the agreement with urgency is critical. “The Pandemic Agreement offers a rare chance to build on lessons learned from COVID-19 and ensure that all nations are better protected in the future,” he said.
With the agreement now formally adopted, member states will move toward ratification. Once 60 nations officially sign on, the accord will take effect, ushering in a new era of global pandemic preparedness—though the absence of the U.S. remains a notable question mark.
