Global health nations reach historic pandemic preparedness agreement

After more than three years of intense negotiations, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) reached a historic consensus on a new agreement aimed at strengthening global preparedness and response to future pandemics.

"This evening marks a milestone in our collective journey toward a safer world," stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the early hours of Wednesday, celebrating the approval of the text. “You have made history,” he told the delegates.

According to the WHO, the agreement is a major advancement in the global effort to enhance pandemic preparedness. The document will be formally reviewed at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May.

The consensus was finalized after a marathon day and night of talks, wrapping up shortly before midnight GMT. “We sealed the deal at 01:58,” one delegate told AFP, while the WHO prepared to toast the breakthrough.

By endorsing this pandemic accord, countries not only laid the groundwork for a generation-defining safety framework but also proved that multilateral cooperation is still alive even in a divided world. The agreement shows that nations can unite around shared solutions to common global threats.

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic claimed millions of lives and disrupted the global economy, the new accord seeks to close the critical preparedness gaps exposed by that crisis. WHO and health experts emphasize that the world remains underprepared for the next health emergency.

Progress during the hybrid-format negotiations had been slower than anticipated, mainly due to disagreements over the transfer of pandemic-related health technologies to developing countries. This issue had been a major concern during the COVID-19 crisis, as wealthier nations were accused of monopolizing vaccines and other resources.

Countries with strong pharmaceutical sectors opposed mandatory technology transfer and instead pushed for a voluntary approach. The final agreement reflects a compromise: technology transfer based on mutual consent.

A key element of the accord is the establishment of a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), which aims to ensure equitable access to health products like vaccines and diagnostic tests. It also proposes a global network for supply chain and logistics to distribute these tools more fairly.

“This is a landmark agreement for global health security, equity, and international solidarity,” said Anne-Claire Amprou, co-chair of the negotiating body and France’s ambassador for global health. Declaring the agreement officially adopted, she was met with a standing ovation, visibly moved by the moment.

Regarding implementation, the pharmaceutical industry highlighted the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and legal clarity, especially when investing in high-risk research during future crises. David Reddy, CEO of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, expressed hope that future talks would maintain an environment conducive to innovation.

WHO’s chief described the final text as balanced and more equitable. The negotiations unfolded against a backdrop of waning multilateralism and strained global health funding, worsened by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to slash American aid and withdraw the U.S. from the WHO.

“In a time when multilateralism is under threat, WHO’s member states came together to show that the only way to defeat future pandemics is by working in unity,” said Helen Clark, co-chair of the negotiation group.