Countries have taken a major step toward finalizing a landmark global agreement aimed at preventing future pandemics.
The agreement follows more than three years of talks launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to address global gaps in pandemic readiness and response. If adopted, it would be the first legally binding deal of its kind under WHO’s Constitution, focused on stronger cooperation between countries, institutions, and private and civil sectors.
“Governments are acting together to make the world healthier, fairer and safer from future pandemic threats,” said WHO Director-General Dr TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS. “This agreement means countries will be better prepared and more united the next time a pandemic strikes.”
Namibia’s Health Minister, Dr ESPERANCE LUVINDAO, who chaired Monday’s committee session, called the deal a show of solidarity after the devastating global losses from COVID-19. “We owe this to the world’s children, elders and health workers,” she said.
If approved in Tuesday’s vote, the resolution will launch several key initiatives:
A new Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, which aims to ensure fair access to virus samples and resulting treatments or vaccines;
A global supply and logistics network to guarantee fast and equitable distribution of pandemic-related health tools;
The creation of a financial coordination mechanism to support global pandemic response efforts.
Under the proposed terms, vaccine and drug manufacturers would be expected to make 20% of real-time production of vaccines, treatments and tests available to WHO during a pandemic. Distribution would prioritize public health risk and developing countries.
The agreement complements recent updates to the International Health Regulations, which strengthen global outbreak detection and response.
Tuesday’s full assembly vote will be followed by high-level speeches from world leaders. If adopted, the deal will need 60 national ratifications to officially take effect.
WHO officials praised the efforts of negotiators and the support teams involved. “This is a historic achievement,” said Dr Tedros. “The world is safer today because of their work.”
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
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