World Health Assembly Agrees on Amendments to Strengthen Global Pandemic Response

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, established in December 2021, has been mandated to conclude its work within a year, with a target set for the World Health Assembly in 2025.

In a landmark development, the World Health Assembly, representing its 194 member countries, has unanimously approved a series of critical amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). Additionally, concrete commitments have been made to finalize negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within the next year. These decisive actions aim to establish comprehensive and robust systems worldwide to safeguard public health and safety against the threat of future outbreaks and pandemics.

The decisions made during the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly reflect a collective effort by Member States to draw upon the lessons learned from recent global health emergencies, notably the COVID-19 pandemic. The amended Regulations will enhance global preparedness, surveillance, and responses to public health emergencies, including pandemics.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the significance of these decisions in bolstering countries' capacities to detect and respond to future outbreaks and pandemics. He underscored the importance of equity and collaboration in addressing health threats that transcend national borders, emphasizing that preparedness is a collective endeavor.

The amendments to the IHR include the introduction of a definition of a pandemic emergency, aimed at triggering more effective international collaboration in response to events with the potential to become or have already become pandemics. Additionally, commitments to solidarity and equity in strengthening access to medical products and financing have been established. These measures are complemented by the creation of the States Parties Committee and National IHR Authorities to facilitate effective implementation of the Regulations.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield of New Zealand and Dr Abdullah Assiri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Co-Chairs of the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR, hailed the amendments as significant strides in strengthening global public health surveillance, response, and preparedness mechanisms. They emphasized the collective effort and commitment demonstrated by countries in addressing the gaps identified during previous epidemics and pandemics.

Moreover, a plan has been agreed upon to finalize negotiations on a Pandemic Agreement, aimed at enhancing international coordination, collaboration, and equity in preventing, preparing for, and responding to future pandemics. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, established in December 2021, has been mandated to conclude its work within a year, with a target set for the World Health Assembly in 2025.

Ms Precious Matsoso of South Africa and Roland Driece of the Netherlands, Co-Chairs of the Pandemic Accord Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, expressed optimism about the progress made, emphasizing the global consensus on the need for a comprehensive instrument to address the challenges posed by full-blown pandemics.

These historic decisions mark a significant milestone in global efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response, underscoring the collective commitment to safeguarding public health and safety worldwide.