By Bunmi Yekini
After more than three years of negotiations, the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States have reached a landmark consensus on a proposed global pandemic agreement aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness, and response to future health emergencies.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in December 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, finalized the draft agreement following 13 rounds of formal meetings and numerous informal negotiations. The proposal will be presented for consideration at the 78th World Health Assembly in May.
“The nations of the world made history in Geneva today,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Not only did they put in place a generational accord to make the world safer, they have also demonstrated that multilateralism is alive and well… and that nations can still work together to find common ground.”
The proposed agreement includes wide-ranging measures such as equitable access to pathogens and related benefits, bolstered research and development capacity, global health workforce mobilization, and the creation of a robust supply chain and logistics network. It also affirms national sovereignty in health decisions and explicitly limits WHO’s authority over domestic policies.
INB Co-Chair Ms. Precious Matsoso of South Africa hailed the agreement as a major step towards global equity. “I am overjoyed by the coming together of countries… to increase equity and, thereby, protect future generations from the suffering and losses we suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “This monumental effort has been sustained by the shared understanding that viruses do not respect borders.”
Her counterpart, Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou of France, emphasized the significance of the One Health approach embedded in the agreement. “This is a historic agreement for health security, equity and international solidarity,” Amprou said. “The response will be faster, more effective and more equitable.”
The proposal reflects years of dialogue among WHO Member States, stakeholders, and experts. Its adoption during the World Health Assembly scheduled for 19 May 2025 would mark a major milestone in global health governance.