At a special ceremony held at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, plaques were presented to representatives of two nations whose leaders were instrumental in advocating for the Agreement from its inception. His Excellency Sebastián Piñera, former President of Chile, and His Excellency Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, were honored for their early and sustained commitment.

Along with these distinguished leaders, certificates of recognition were awarded to the heads of state and government from 25 other countries. These nations demonstrated exceptional guidance and dedication throughout the intricate negotiation process of the Pandemic Agreement.

“The adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Pandemic Agreement was a historic moment in global health,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we would not have reached that moment without sustained political advocacy from the highest levels.”

The recognized countries include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland. Their collective efforts underscore a global commitment to a more robust international health architecture, founded on principles of equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

The political momentum for the Pandemic Agreement was significantly boosted by a 2021 commentary published in major international outlets. This influential piece featured calls for a pandemic treaty from 25 heads of state and international organizations, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated global action.

Following this pivotal adoption, work has commenced on implementing key elements of the Pandemic Agreement, with a particular focus on pathogen access and benefit sharing. An intergovernmental working group, the “IGWG on the WHO Pandemic Agreement,” has been established to lead this crucial initiative and convened for its inaugural meeting this week.

Evergreen Insights: The Genesis of Global Health Cooperation

The journey towards the WHO Pandemic Agreement began in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed critical vulnerabilities in global health security and international cooperation. Recognizing the need for a more coordinated and equitable response to future health emergencies, discussions for a new international instrument gained traction. The commentary published in 2021, signed by numerous world leaders, served as a powerful catalyst, signaling a unified desire to strengthen the global health architecture. This collective advocacy underscored the understanding that pandemics transcend national borders and require a unified, multilateral approach to effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to them.

Frequently Asked Questions About the WHO Pandemic Agreement

What is the WHO Pandemic Agreement?

The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a new international accord designed to strengthen global health security and ensure a more equitable response to future pandemics.

Who was recognized for their role in the Pandemic Agreement’s adoption?

The World Health Organization recognized heads of state and government from numerous countries, including Chile and Tunisia, for their pivotal advocacy and commitment to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

when was the WHO pandemic agreement adopted?

the WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2025.

What are the key principles of the Pandemic Agreement?

The pandemic Agreement is grounded in equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility, aiming for a more robust international health architecture.

What is the next step for the Pandemic Agreement?

Work has begun on key elements,particularly pathogen access and benefit sharing,led by the intergovernmental working group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

What was the significance of the 2021 commentary?

The 2021 commentary, signed by 25 heads of state and international organizations, galvanized political momentum for a pandemic treaty.

This content provides general information and does not constitute health, financial, or legal advice.