WHO adopts landmark global pandemic agreement in Geneva, enhancing health cooperation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a historic global pandemic agreement aimed at enhancing international health cooperation.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the agreement as a victory for public health and multilateral action, emphasizing its importance in making the world safer from future pandemics.
124 countries voted in favor of the accord, with no votes against and 11 abstentions, including Poland and Israel. The agreement addresses critical issues such as pathogen access and benefit sharing, which will be governed by an annex to the treaty to be negotiated over the next year.
Following three years of negotiations, the accord is seen as a significant step towards global cooperation, especially as multilateral organizations face challenges from funding cuts.
Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and panel co-chair, stated that the agreement should be viewed as a foundation for future health initiatives.
The formal adoption took place during a plenary session at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, marking a pivotal moment in global health governance.

The World Health Organization adopted a landmark global pandemic agreement in Geneva, with 124 countries voting in favor. The accord aims to enhance health cooperation and address lessons learned from COVID-19, marking a significant step towards equitable global health responses against future pandemics.