World Health Organization Member States Approve Landmark Pandemic Agreement

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization's Member States have overwhelmingly approved the first-ever Pandemic Agreement, a landmark decision that aims to prevent future catastrophic events like the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement was adopted by consensus at the World Health Assembly, with 124 votes in favor, zero objections, and 11 abstentions. The accord is seen as a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action, and will ensure the collective ability to better protect the world from future pandemic threats.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pandemic Agreement aims to plug gaps and treat any future pandemics in a fairer and more efficient way, ensuring equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products.
  • The agreement does not give the World Health Organization any authority to change or interfere with national laws, or force nations to take measures such as banning travelers, imposing vaccinations, or implementing lockdowns.
  • 11 countries abstained from the vote, including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, and Iran, citing concerns over sovereignty and equitable access to medical countermeasures.
  • The United States did not participate in the vote, stating that the WHO had "doubled down" with the Pandemic Agreement, which would "lock in all of the dysfunction of the WHO pandemic response."
  • The next steps include launching a process to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group, with the result to be considered at next year's World Health Assembly.
  • The agreement will then be open for signature and consideration of ratification, including by national legislative bodies, after which it will enter into force once 60 countries have ratified it.

Statistics:

  • 124 votes in favor of the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly.
  • 11 countries abstained from the vote.
  • The United States did not take part in the vote, citing concerns over the agreement.
  • 2025 is the year in which the World Health Organization's Member States approved the first-ever Pandemic Agreement.
  • 60 ratifications are needed for the agreement to enter into force.

Sources:

  • WHO/Christopher Black
  • WHO (www.who.int/en/)
  • Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
  • Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Health, and President of this year's World Health Assembly