WHO Member States agree on further steps to conclude the Pandemic Agreement

The World Health Assembly (WHA) today recognized the progress made by member states over the past two years in developing an agreement on the pandemic and strengthening the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). Governments meeting in Geneva for the 77th World Health Assembly are holding talks to support these two efforts, which aim to strengthen the world’s ability to better prevent and respond to the threats of future pandemics.

WHO Member States agreed to continue their work during the World Health Assembly, which ends on June 1, to:

• finalization of the IHR package of amendments (2005)
• agree on the date, format and process for reaching an agreement on the pandemic.

During today’s session, the WHA first considered agenda item 13.4 regarding the draft agreement on the pandemic. The delegates admitted the extensive work undertaken by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), led by Member States, and the Office leading that work since governments launched the process in December 2021 to develop the world’s first pandemic agreement to prevent a recurrence of the global health emergency , economic and social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Member States reiterated that the world needs an agreement on the pandemic based on the principles of equality, sovereignty and prevention, preparedness and response, and ensuring the protection of future generations from the threat of inevitable future pandemics.

WHA delegates also considered agenda item 13.3, which outlined the work undertaken to negotiate amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) to build on lessons learned from the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Member States stressed that agreement on updated and stronger international health rules is essential to ensuring global health security.