WHO urges nations to finalize pandemic deal after UN backing

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries to complete negotiations on the last outstanding piece of its Pandemic Agreement, after the UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

 

The Assembly adopted the declaration on Monday, Oct. 12, by a recorded vote of 153 in favour, with the United States, Israel and Argentina voting against and two abstentions.

 

In a statement welcoming the adoption, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "WHO welcomes this strong commitment by UN Member States to continue working together on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

 

"The world has come a long way since COVID-19. We urge countries to now fulfil the commitments they have made – specially to finalize negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) annex, so the WHO Pandemic Agreement can be opened for signature, begin the process of ratification and enter into force as international law."

 

The PABS annex is designed to govern how countries share pathogen samples and how the benefits, such as vaccines and medicines, are distributed, a component the WHO regards as key to a fairer global response to future pandemics.

 

According to the WHO, the outcome of the PABS negotiations will be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027, or earlier at a special session. Adoption of the annex would clear the way for the agreement to enter into force.

 

Member States first considered the declaration at the second UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held at UN Headquarters in New York on Sept. 25, 2026, before referring it to the full Assembly for adoption.

 

The WHO said the declaration builds on research and coordination advances made since the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for sustained investment in national, regional and global capacities to prevent, detect and respond to emerging threats.

 

It also recognises pandemic preparedness as a health, development, economic and security imperative that requires coordinated action across sectors and sustained international cooperation.

 

Among its priorities, the declaration highlights stronger monitoring of disease threats, investment in national capacities and implementation of the amended International Health Regulations (2005).

 

The WHO added that the declaration calls for empowering communities, ensuring timely access to pathogens and equitable sharing of benefits, expanding local and regional manufacturing and research capacity, and securing sustainable financing to strengthen international solidarity in pandemic response.