By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally acknowledged the crucial contributions of world leaders who helped secure the adoption of the landmark WHO Pandemic Agreement during a special recognition event held at its headquarters in Geneva.
At the ceremony on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented plaques and certificates to representatives of countries whose presidents and prime ministers played key roles in advocating for the agreement, which was adopted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May.
“The adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Pandemic Agreement was a historic moment in global health,” Dr. Tedros said. “But we would not have reached that moment without sustained political advocacy from the highest levels.”
Plaques were presented to Chile and Tunisia, honoring former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Tunisian President Kais Saied, both of whom were early champions of the agreement. Certificates were also awarded to leaders of 25 other nations in recognition of their leadership and commitment throughout the negotiation process.
Countries recognized include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The Pandemic Agreement marks a turning point in international cooperation on public health, with a focus on equity, preparedness, and mutual accountability. It aims to strengthen global resilience against future pandemics through coordinated efforts and fair access to resources.
Dr. Tedros noted that political momentum for the treaty was catalyzed as early as 2021 when 25 heads of state and global leaders jointly published a commentary calling for a legally binding pandemic treaty.
Work has already begun on implementing the agreement’s key elements, including a framework for pathogen access and benefit sharing. An intergovernmental working group (IGWG on the WHO Pandemic Agreement) convened for the first time this week to advance those efforts.