The World Health Assembly on Monday officially adopted the Pandemic Agreement, a landmark international accord designed to enhance global cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This follows over three years of intensive negotiations among World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.
The agreement was approved during the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, currently underway in Geneva until May 27.
The newly adopted accord reaffirms the sovereign right of nations to shape their own public health policies, while promoting stronger international collaboration in key areas.
These include pandemic prevention, bolstering research and development, facilitating technology transfer, ensuring fair distribution of medical supplies, and establishing a robust global supply chain and logistics network, reports the Kuwait News Agency.
It also introduces a benefit-sharing mechanism related to pathogen access and adopts the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
Additionally, the agreement provides technical and financial support for countries with limited resources.
This binding global framework aims to reinforce international solidarity and ensure improved preparedness for future pandemics, while respecting the unique public health contexts of individual WHO Member States.
The agreement was adopted with broad international support. However, the United States was notably absent from the session, following its withdrawal from the WHO under a decision announced by President Donald Trump.
