WHO Kicks Off Crucial Talks to Finalize Global Pandemic Agreement
Today, July 9, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in international health as World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, officially inaugurated the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Held in a hybrid format, this gathering signals the critical next phase in fully operationalizing the landmark accord designed to fortify global defenses against future pandemics.
Building on a Historic Achievement
The WHO Pandemic Agreement, a monumental outcome of over three years of intensive negotiations, was formally adopted by consensus by Member States at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025. Born from the stark lessons and inequities exposed by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, this agreement aims to bolster global prevention, preparedness, and response by fostering unprecedented international collaboration, equity, and resilience in the face of health crises.
The IGWG's Urgent Mandate: Finalizing Equitable Access
While the core text of the Pandemic Agreement has been approved, a vital component remains: the Annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS). This critical Annex is the primary focus of the newly established IGWG.
In his opening remarks today, Dr. Tedros lauded Member States for reaching this significant juncture, acknowledging the immense work already invested. He specifically tasked the IGWG with several key objectives:
Complete the PABS Annex: The paramount goal is to finalize this crucial Annex, ensuring its readiness for adoption at the next World Health Assembly in May 2026. This completion will allow the entire Pandemic Agreement to be opened for signature and ratification, making it fully binding.
Chart the Path to Completion: The IGWG must define a comprehensive program of work, establish effective working methods, set realistic timelines and milestones, outline discussion terms and timing, consult widely with stakeholders, and ensure full accountability to its mandate.
Prepare for Implementation: Alongside negotiating the PABS Annex, the IGWG is also charged with addressing procedural and other matters essential for the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. This includes drafting a proposal for the terms of reference for the Coordinating Financial Mechanism and overseeing all preparatory steps for the Conference's inaugural session.
Core Pillars of the Pandemic Agreement
The overarching Pandemic Agreement, which the IGWG is now working to fully enable, is built upon several critical pillars:
Equity and Solidarity: A foundational principle is embedding equity in access to essential medical countermeasures like vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics, addressing the glaring disparities witnessed during COVID-19.
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): This complex yet crucial element aims to ensure rapid, safe, transparent, and equitable sharing of information about pathogens with pandemic potential. Crucially, it seeks to establish fair mechanisms for countries that share this information to benefit from the products developed as a result.
Enhanced Prevention and Surveillance: The agreement mandates strengthening national capacities for pandemic prevention and surveillance, promoting a holistic "One Health" approach that integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Resilient Health Systems: It underscores the imperative of building robust health systems and cultivating a skilled global health workforce.
Global Supply Chains: Mechanisms are to be established to streamline the distribution of critical medical supplies, ensuring equitable access based on public health needs. This includes a target for pharmaceutical manufacturers to make available to WHO "rapid access targeting 20% of their real-time production of safe, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics."
The current IGWG meeting, scheduled for July 9-10, 2025, is primarily an organizational session focused on establishing working methods, electing leadership, and setting the definitive timeline for activities leading up to the 79th World Health Assembly.
This initiative represents a concrete and determined stride in the global commitment to learn from past pandemics and forge a more equitable and effective framework for responding to future health emergencies.
