What's happened
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a groundbreaking pandemic agreement aimed at ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments during future health crises. The treaty, supported by 124 countries, addresses the inequities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the U.S. remains absent from the agreement.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points of the Agreement
- Equitable Access: The treaty mandates that countries sharing virus samples will receive tests, medicines, and vaccines, with up to 20% of products allocated to the WHO for distribution to poorer nations.
- Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS): This mechanism encourages countries to share information about pathogens in exchange for guaranteed access to medical products.
- U.S. Withdrawal: The absence of the U.S., a major contributor to global health funding, raises concerns about the treaty's effectiveness and enforcement.
Implications
- Global Health Security: The agreement aims to enhance international coordination and surveillance, potentially leading to a more unified response to future pandemics.
- Challenges Ahead: Without the U.S. and with no penalties for non-compliance, the treaty's impact may be limited, highlighting the need for robust international commitment.
What the papers say
The Independent reported that the WHO's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hailed the agreement as a 'historic' step towards better global health cooperation. Al Jazeera emphasized the treaty's aim to prevent the disjointed responses seen during COVID-19, while AP News noted the applause from delegates during its adoption. However, skepticism remains regarding the treaty's effectiveness without U.S. participation, as highlighted by both AP News and The Independent, which pointed out the lack of penalties for non-compliance.
How we got here
The agreement follows three years of negotiations, driven by the need to rectify the disparities in vaccine access experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The treaty emphasizes global cooperation and equitable distribution of medical resources, particularly for developing nations.
Go deeper
- What are the main goals of the WHO Pandemic Agreement?
- How will the treaty impact future pandemics?
- What challenges does the agreement face without U.S. support?
Common question
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What is the WHO's Historic Pandemic Treaty and Why Does It Matter?
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a groundbreaking treaty aimed at improving global health responses during pandemics. This treaty has sparked numerous questions about its implications, effectiveness, and the countries involved. Here’s a closer look at the key aspects of this historic agreement.
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What is the WHO's new pandemic agreement and why is it important?
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a significant pandemic agreement aimed at ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments during future health crises. This treaty, supported by 124 countries, seeks to address the inequities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the absence of the U.S. raises questions about its potential effectiveness. Here are some common questions about this historic agreement.
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