The effects of the devastating cocovast-19 pandemic are always felt. About seven million people died, health systems have been overwhelmed and the global economy was practically led to stop.
The global turmoil has prompted an international community amazed to continue an agreement to prevent such a catastrophic event from reproducing – and guaranteeing that the world is much better prepared in the future.
The historic decision was made in the World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although the official adoption took place on Tuesday, the WHO member states massively approved the approval on Monday (124 votes in favor, 0 objection, 11 abstentions).
This meant that, rather than a biting nail vote with last -minute surprises (before the conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was the general manager, did not feel capable of expressing a “careful optimism”), the adoption by consensus had a feeling of celebration.
“”The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action“Said Tedros.” This will ensure that we can collectively protect the world from future pandemic threats.
“It is also recognition of the international community that Our citizens, our societies and our economies should not be left vulnerable to undergo losses again like those endured during COVID-19. “”
WHO member states approved the very first pandemic agreement on May 19, 2025
“ Unique opportunity ”
The pandemic posed naked raw inequalities between and within countries, with regard to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, and a central objective of the agreement is to fill the gaps and treat all future pandemics in a fairer and more efficient way.
“Now that the agreement has been brought to life, we must all act with the same urgency to implement Its critical elements, including systems to ensure fair access to health products related to life“Said Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, secretary of the Philippine Department of Health, and president of the World Health Assembly of this year, who chaired the adoption of the agreement.
“As Cavid was a unique emergency, the Pandemic WHO agreement offers a unique opportunity to rely on lessons learned from this crisis and ensure that people in the world are better protected if a future pandemic emerges.”
The question of national sovereignty was raised several times during the agreement of the agreement of the agreement, The reflection of false online affirmations according to which who in one way or another tent to tear down the control of individual countries.
The agreement is difficult to emphasize that this is not the case, declaring that nothing contained inside gives who any power to change or interfere with national laws or to force nations to take measures such as the prohibition of travelers, impose vaccinations or implement locking.
WHO member states approved the very first pandemic agreement on May 19, 2025
Following steps
The adoption was praised as a revolutionary stage, but this is only the start of the process.
The next step is to put the agreement into practice, by launching a process to write and negotiate a system of access to pathogens and service sharing (PAB) via an intergovernmental working group.
The result of this process will be taken into account at the World Health Assembly next year.
Once the Assembly has adopted the PAB appendix, the agreement will then be open to the signing and taking into account ratification, including by national legislative bodies. After 60 ratifications, he will come into force.
The other provisions include a new financial mechanism for pandemic prevention, preparation and response, and the creation of a global network of supply chain and logistics “Improve, facilitate and work to eliminate obstacles and ensure fair, fast, fast, safe and affordable access to pandemic health products for countries in need during emergencies of international concern, including pandemic emergencies, and for the prevention of these emergencies. »»
