WHO Reaches Preliminary Agreement on Global Pandemic Accord

After more than three years of negotiations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a preliminary agreement on an international framework aimed at preventing future pandemics. The announcement was made by co-lead negotiator Anne-Claire Amprou, although specific details regarding the agreement's contents remain undisclosed.

The decision to create a global pandemic accord was initially made in December 2021 by the 194 member states of the WHO, driven by the need to learn from the COVID-19 crisis. A new round of negotiations commenced earlier this week in Geneva, following a setback in May 2024 when discussions had stalled. The negotiating teams are scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday to finalize the text, which will subsequently require approval from the governments of the WHO member states.

This initiative traces back to a proposal made by former European Council President Charles Michel in November 2020, advocating for the development of an international treaty in response to the pandemic. Notably, the United States had exited the negotiations earlier this year after then-President Donald Trump issued an order for the country to withdraw from the WHO.

The establishment of a global pandemic agreement aims to enhance international collaboration and preparedness in the face of future health crises. The specifics of the measures and protocols that will be included in the final accord will be crucial in determining its effectiveness in mitigating the impact of potential pandemics.

As the world continues to grapple with the ramifications of COVID-19, the focus on developing a comprehensive framework for pandemic prevention and response is seen as a critical step towards safeguarding global health. The forthcoming negotiations will be closely monitored by public health experts and policymakers alike, who are eager to see how the agreement will shape international health governance moving forward.