WHO Honors Global Leaders for Pandemic Agreement Push
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally celebrated several heads of state and government for their pivotal roles in securing the landmark WHO Pandemic Agreement. The recognition occurred at a special event held at WHO Headquarters on July 10, 2025.
Plaques were presented to representatives from Chile and Tunisia, acknowledging their former and current presidents, Sebastián Piñera and Kais Saied, respectively, as key champions of the Agreement.
Beyond these two nations, certificates were also awarded to leaders from 25 other countries, commending their guidance and unwavering commitment throughout the demanding negotiation process. These nations include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya (with former President Uhuru Kenyatta among those recognized), the Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda (President Paul Kagame was specifically lauded for his leadership), Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2025 marked a historic milestone. It solidified a global commitment to forging a more robust international health framework, one built on the crucial pillars of equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility. With this agreement now in place, efforts have already begun to implement its core elements, particularly focusing on crucial areas like pathogen access and benefit sharing.
