All articles tagged with #pandemic agreement
Six years after the WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the world has strengthened preparedness through measures like the WHO Pandemic Agreement, IHR amendments, and the Pandemic Fund, plus expanded surveillance and vaccine/biotech capacity; however, progress is uneven and fragile, underscoring the need for sustained global collaboration to prevent the next pandemic.
WHO’s statement expresses regret over the United States’ notification of withdrawal, stating the move would reduce safety for both the U.S. and the world and noting that the issue will be discussed by the WHO Executive Board and World Health Assembly in 2026. It defends WHO’s COVID-19 response as transparent and evidence-based, clarifies that WHO did not advocate mask or vaccine mandates or lockdowns, and highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness—such as the WHO Pandemic Agreement and Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing—while expressing hope the United States will return to active participation.
In 2025, WHO achieved significant milestones including the first Pandemic Agreement, disease elimination efforts, progress in vaccination and health system equity, and strengthened global preparedness for health emergencies, despite funding challenges and ongoing health threats worldwide.
The director general of the World Health Organization has expressed concern over the negotiations for a new multilateral pandemic agreement, citing a lack of progress and the influence of fake news, lies, and conspiracy theories. With 29 million deaths and a billion-dollar debt from the pandemic, the international community appears to have learned nothing, as differences between rich and poor countries, geopolitical context, and private interests threaten to derail the agreement. The need for a strong epidemiological surveillance system and fair distribution of resources is emphasized, as well as the importance of learning from past mistakes to prepare for future health risks.