WHO Member States have finalized a draft Pandemic Agreement, aimed at strengthening global health security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Global Pandemic Treaty

• It is a legally binding international instrument aimed at strengthening global response to future pandemics.

• Origin of the Treaty: In December 2021, during COVID-19 crisis, WHO Member States established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft a global pandemic treaty.
• Objective: To strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through a unified international approach.

Key Components of the Agreement

• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism: The treaty proposes a framework to ensure fair and timely access to pathogens and benefits, such as vaccines and treatments.
• One Health Approach: It emphasizes pandemic prevention by addressing the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
• Global Research and Development Capacity: Plans include building diverse and geographically distributed research facilities for quicker, localized responses.
• Technology and Knowledge Transfer: The agreement facilitates sharing of technology and expertise for the production of vaccines and medical supplies.
  • One contentious point during the negotiations was Article 11, which deals with the transfer of medical technologies to developing nations.
• Workforce and Emergency Preparedness: It includes provisions for training and mobilizing a multidisciplinary health emergency workforce at national and global levels.

• Supply Chain and Financial Mechanisms: Proposes a coordinated global logistics network and a financial mechanism to support rapid responses during outbreaks.
• Health System Resilience: Encourages countries to strengthen their healthcare systems to withstand public health emergencies.

WHO’s Role and Respect for Sovereignty

• The agreement affirms national sovereignty in public health matters, stating that WHO will not have authority to mandate national laws or actions.
• It clarifies that the treaty does not authorize WHO to impose lockdowns, vaccine mandates, or travel restrictions on member states.

Significance of the treaty

• Advancing Global Health Equity: The treaty addresses past inequalities by creating systems like the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism, ensuring fair distribution of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics during future pandemics.
• Strengthening Multilateralism : Despite the U.S. withdrawal, 193 nations unified to finalize the agreement, demonstrating that global collaboration in public health remains possible and effective.
• Pandemic Preparedness: By committing to protect health workers, share pathogen data, and transfer technology, the treaty builds long-term resilience against emerging health threats.
• Legal Framework for Future Crises: The treaty creates a durable international legal instrument that sets clear expectations for cooperation and response in future pandemics, ensuring accountability and consistency.