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Historic WHO Pandemic Agreement Adopted
WHO adopts Pandemic Agreement to strengthen global health preparedness
Context: In a significant step toward ensuring a more unified and equitable global response to future health crises, the World Health Organisation (WHO) member states on Tuesday (20 May ) unanimously adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement.
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- The landmark decision marks the culmination of over three years of negotiations, initiated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The WHO Pandemic Agreement was officially adopted during a plenary session of the 78th World Health Assembly, the organisation’s highest decision-making body. The move follows Monday’s committee vote, where 124 countries voted in favour, none opposed, and 11 abstained.
Background
- The WHO has been working on the Pandemic Agreement since 2021, intending to create a legally binding instrument to strengthen international cooperation and prevent future pandemics.
- The World Health Assembly (WHA) acknowledged the progress made by Member States in developing a pandemic agreement and strengthening the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).
Key Highlights
- Purpose: To ensure collective international readiness for future pandemics.
- Scope: Enhances global coordination for:
- Equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics
- Transparent data sharing and early outbreak detection
- Stronger health systems, supply chains, and communication networks
- Focus on equity: Addressing disparities faced by lower-income nations during the COVID-19 response.
Core Features of the Agreement
- The agreement lays the groundwork for improved international coordination in areas crucial for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- It sets out key principles, approaches, and tools that member states will adhere to, with the goal of strengthening the global health architecture.
Why This Matters?
- The agreement is a direct response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis.
- It aims to prevent the global disparities and vulnerabilities seen during the pandemic.
- Emphasises equity, solidarity, and shared responsibility in future health emergencies.
Next Steps
- The agreement serves as a foundational global framework for managing pandemics.
- Governments, health agencies, and global partners are expected to align policies and investments with the new pact.
- This represents a renewed commitment to ensure no country is left behind in future pandemic responses.
