4 sources·Health

WHO Member Countries Draft Pandemic Treaty to Prevent Future Crises

The WHO agrees on a draft pandemic treaty aimed at streamlining global responses to health crises and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments.

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  1. World Health Organization agrees legally binding pandemic treaty

    At the core of the agreement is a proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), allowing the faster exchange of data between pharmaceutical companies.

    World Health Organization agrees legally binding pandemic treaty

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  2. WHO member countries agree on a draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid COVID-19 mistakes

    Five years after COVID-19 triggered national lockdowns, economic uncertainty and killed millions, the World Health Organization’s member countries agreed on a draft “pandemic treaty” that sets guidelines for how the international community might confront the next global health crisis.

    WHO member countries agree on a draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid COVID-19 mistakes

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  3. WHO Members Reach Pandemic Agreement

    The agreement is widely seen as a victory for the global health agency, at a time when multilateral organizations like the WHO have been battered by sharp cuts in U.S. foreign funding.

    WHO Members Reach Pandemic Agreement

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Updated: Apr 16th, 2025, 9:33 AM ET

Summary

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After extensive negotiations, WHO member countries have reached a draft treaty designed to enhance global health security and better prepare for future pandemics. The agreement outlines key provisions for data sharing on emerging diseases and mandates that countries ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatments. Notably, the treaty seeks to guarantee that nations sharing critical virus samples receive adequate medical resources. Despite potential obstacles to compliance and the U.S. not participating, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus heralded the agreement as a significant achievement in fostering international cooperation in health.


Perspectives

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  • WHO member countries have reached an agreement on a draft pandemic treaty to avoid mistakes made during COVID-19 and to enhance future global health responses.

  • The treaty includes provisions for equitable access to vaccines and treatments, highlighting the need for collaboration among nations during health crises.

  • While hailed as a historic advancement, the treaty's effectiveness remains contingent on compliance and implementation by member states.


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