Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday adopted a landmark international agreement aimed at strengthening global preparedness and response to future pandemics.
The agreement marks a major milestone following the COVID-19 outbreak that claimed millions of lives between 2020 and 2022. The legally binding accord was passed at the World Health Assembly in Geneva after three years of complex negotiations.
Delegates from 124 countries voted in favor of the pact. No nation opposed it, though 11 countries including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, and Iran abstained.
Applause broke out in the assembly hall following the vote, signaling broad international support. The treaty is seen as a significant achievement for the WHO at a time when multilateral institutions are grappling with reduced funding and growing geopolitical tensions.
Historic decision at #WHA78:
Member States of WHO today formally adopted by consensus the world’s first #PandemicAgreement to make the world more equitable and safer from future pandemics
🔗 https://t.co/4fNREfG2QO pic.twitter.com/ZF7G41On73
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 20, 2025
“The agreement is a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The treaty sets out new rules for pandemic surveillance, data sharing, equitable access to vaccines and treatments, and coordinated global responses to emerging health threats.
The pact faced a late challenge on Monday when Slovakia, under pressure from its vaccine-sceptic Prime Minister, called for a vote in an effort to delay or derail adoption. Despite this, the measure passed decisively.
Global health leaders say the agreement will help prevent a repeat of the chaos and inequities witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic while reinforcing international cooperation.
