The United Nations General Assembly on Monday adopted a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and the World Health Organization said it hopes the move will push countries to finish work on a key piece of the global pandemic treaty.
The declaration reaffirms global solidarity and commitment to protecting future generations from the effects of pandemics, according to the WHO, which welcomed the vote.
“The world has come a long way since COVID-19,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He urged countries to deliver on their commitments, particularly by finalizing negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, known as PABS. Completing that annex would allow the WHO Pandemic Agreement to be opened for signature, begin ratification and eventually enter into force as international law, he said.
Road to adoption
UN member states considered the text at the second UNGA High-level Meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on 25 September, then referred it to the full Assembly for Monday’s adoption.
What the declaration says
The declaration calls for sustained investment and action to strengthen national, regional and global capacities to prevent, detect and respond to pandemic threats. It frames preparedness as more than a health matter, describing it as a development, economic and security imperative that requires coordinated action across sectors.
Among its priorities are:
- Enhancing monitoring systems and investing in national capacities
- Implementing the amended International Health Regulations (2005)
- Empowering communities
- Ensuring timely access to pathogens and equitable benefit-sharing
- Expanding local and regional manufacturing and research and development capacity
- Securing sustainable financing
Pathogen-sharing talks the sticking point
Member states particularly stressed the urgency of concluding talks on the PABS annex, a key component of the Pandemic Agreement. The outcome of those negotiations will be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027, or sooner at a special session of the Assembly. Adopting the annex would allow the agreement to enter into force, which the WHO says would help deliver a more equitable, coordinated and effective response to future pandemics.
The WHO said the declaration’s combined actions would strengthen international cooperation and lead to greater solidarity and equity.
