The Pandemic Response Strategy adopted by Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) marks a pivotal moment in global health policy. On May 20, 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly reached a consensus on the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, signaling a unified commitment to ensure better preparedness, stronger collaboration, and greater equity in future global health emergencies.
A Three-Year Global Effort
The agreement’s adoption concludes over three years of intensive negotiations, sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its exposed gaps in health infrastructure, response coordination, and equitable access to life-saving resources. Governments from across the world began discussions at the height of the pandemic, driven by the urgency to prevent the repetition of catastrophic outcomes experienced during COVID-19.
According to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, the agreement is a “victory for public health, science, and multilateral action.” It ensures that countries are better equipped to protect citizens, economies, and societies from pandemic threats. Delegations approved the agreement in a committee vote with overwhelming support—124 in favor, none opposed, and 11 abstentions—followed by formal adoption in plenary session.
Key Goals of the Pandemic Agreement
The Pandemic Agreement establishes principles, frameworks, and collaborative mechanisms to enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response at global, regional, and national levels. Among the key areas it addresses are:
- Equitable and timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics
- Strengthened international coordination and early-warning systems
- Faster information sharing and outbreak surveillance
- Improved supply chain resilience and local manufacturing capabilities
- Investment in health systems and workforce development
One major feature of the agreement is the planned development of a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) system, designed to facilitate the fair distribution of biological samples and their related benefits, such as access to treatments and vaccines, especially in lower-income countries.
Respect for National Sovereignty
To address concerns about national autonomy, the agreement explicitly clarifies that it does not grant the WHO or its Director-General the authority to impose or mandate domestic policies. As stated in the agreement: “Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing… any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe the national and/or domestic law… or to mandate or impose requirements such as lockdowns or vaccination mandates.”
This assurance was crucial in gaining support from nations wary of ceding control over public health decisions. It preserves each country’s right to determine its own public health measures, even as they commit to international cooperation under the broader strategy.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Assembly, Dr Teodoro Herbosa, President of the Assembly and Secretary of Health for the Philippines, highlighted the unique significance of the agreement. “The WHO Pandemic Agreement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on lessons learned from that crisis and ensure people worldwide are better protected if a future pandemic emerges.”
The focus now shifts from negotiation to implementation. WHO Member States are urged to adopt the agreement’s provisions into national policy, strengthen their public health systems, and coordinate with global health partners to bring the strategy to life. Timelines and commitments will be formalized through further WHO-led working groups and technical committees over the coming months.
Global Health Preparedness Moving Forward
With the Pandemic Agreement in place, the international community enters a new phase of health cooperation. The strategy builds on existing instruments like the International Health Regulations (IHR), while introducing a more robust legal and collaborative foundation for dealing with cross-border health threats.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global priorities, highlighting the need for transparent data sharing, coordinated action, and mutual support. This new Pandemic Response Strategy responds directly to those needs, aiming to ensure that the world is not caught off guard again.
| Key Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Equity | Ensures fair access to vaccines and treatments, especially for low-income nations |
| Preparedness | Improves readiness with early-warning systems and rapid response tools |
| Collaboration | Fosters international partnerships and information sharing |
| National Sovereignty | Respects countries’ right to set domestic health policies |
| PABS System | Creates a global mechanism for fair sharing of pathogen samples and benefits |
As countries begin to implement the Pandemic Agreement, the true test will lie in their ability to translate commitment into action. The lessons of COVID-19 remain fresh—and the world now has a roadmap to do better next time.
