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International cooperation

World Health Assembly Adopts Pandemic Agreement After Years of Intensive Negotiations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Health Assembly on Monday adopted the Pandemic Agreement, an international agreement aimed at enhancing global cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The agreement was adopted after more than three years of negotiations among Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO). The agreement reaffirms the sovereign right of countries to determine their public health policies while committing to enhanced international collaboration in several areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pandemic Agreement was adopted by WHO Member States, with a focus on enhancing global cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
  • The agreement reaffirms the sovereign right of countries to determine their public health policies while committing to enhanced international collaboration.
  • The agreement includes provisions for a benefit-sharing mechanism related to access to pathogens and embraces the One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.
  • The agreement provides for technical and financial support for countries with limited resources.
  • The agreement was adopted by WHO Member States, with the exception of the United States, which was absent from the session following President Donald Trump's announcement of U.S. withdrawal from the Organization.
  • The Pandemic Agreement aims to reinforce international solidarity and ensure better preparedness for future pandemics while respecting the specificities of national health policies of WHO Member States.

Statistics:

  • The World Health Assembly has been in session since May 20, 2025, and will conclude on May 27, 2025.
  • The Pandemic Agreement has been in development for over three years, with intensive negotiations among WHO Member States.
  • 78th session of the World Health Assembly
  • The agreement includes provisions for a benefit-sharing mechanism related to access to pathogens, which will be implemented globally.
  • The agreement provides for technical and financial support for countries with limited resources, with a specific focus on global supply chain and logistics network development.

Sources:

  • "The World Health Assembly on Monday officially adopted the Pandemic Agreement" (Kuwait News Agency, May 20, 2025)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) (no specific source mentioned in the original text)

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