The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly political declaration reaffirming global commitment to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and strengthening international cooperation against future health emergencies.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, in a statement on Monday, urged countries to fulfil their commitments, particularly by finalising negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
Ghebreyesus said completing the negotiations would enable the Pandemic Agreement to open for signature, proceed to ratification and eventually enter into force as international law, strengthening global preparedness against future pandemics.
“Member States considered the declaration during the second UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on Sept. 25, 2026, before referring it to the full Assembly for adoption.
“Building on advances achieved since the COVID-19 pandemic, the declaration calls for sustained investment and stronger national, regional and global capacities to prevent, detect and respond effectively to emerging pandemic threats.
“The declaration recognises pandemic preparedness as a public health, development, economic and security priority requiring coordinated action across sectors, alongside sustained international cooperation to protect populations from future health emergencies,” he said.
He emphasised the urgent need to conclude negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing annex, a key component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, to support equitable global pandemic responses.
“The outcome of the negotiations will be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027 or earlier through a special session, with adoption expected to facilitate the agreement’s entry into force.
“The declaration identifies stronger disease surveillance, investment in national capacities and implementation of the amended International Health Regulations (2005) as priorities for improving global health security and pandemic preparedness,” he said.
He added that the declaration called for empowering communities, ensuring timely pathogen access and equitable benefit-sharing, expanding local and regional manufacturing and research capacity, and securing sustainable financing to strengthen international solidarity and pandemic response.(NAN)
