Answer

The Pandemic Treaty, finalized in April 2025, represents a rare global consensus in a fragmented geopolitical landscape. It seeks to build a legally binding framework for health equity, preparedness, and solidarity against future pandemics. This unified approach is vital to address global vulnerabilities revealed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Significance of the Pandemic Treaty in Promoting Collective Global Health Security

• Institutionalizing Global Health Governance: The treaty strengthens WHO’s centrality in coordinating pandemic response, creating a consistent global health governance framework.
  For example: India, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), now integrates WHO’s Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) for early surveillance and detection.
• Advancing Global Health Equity: By ensuring fair access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, it prevents vaccine nationalism. The Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system guarantees access in exchange for data sharing.
  For example: India’s support for the WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa fosters regional self-reliance and equitable health product distribution.
• Boosting Scientific and Technological Collaboration : The treaty mandates transparent data sharing, promoting real-time collaboration and rapid vaccine development. It builds upon platforms like the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).
  For example: India’s INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) now contributes to global databases like GISAID, enabling collaborative surveillance.
• Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness: The treaty shifts focus from reactive responses to prevention and preparedness, including One Health strategies addressing zoonotic risks. It promotes national and global health emergency workforces.
  For example: India’s “Heal in India” and National One Health Mission align with treaty goals, focusing on integrated human-animal-environment health management.
• Economic Stability through Coordinated Response: Global health emergencies cost trillions. The treaty offers frameworks for supply chains and financial coordination to minimize economic shocks.
  For example: As the World Bank projected $11 trillion COVID-19 losses, India’s PM-ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) strengthens resilience to economic-health disruptions.

Challenges of the Pandemic Treaty

• Absence of Major Powers: The U.S. withdrawal from WHO and non-participation in final treaty talks weakens legitimacy and universality of global health mechanisms.
  For example: With the U.S. absent, global funding and diplomatic consensus may fragment, as seen in WHO’s weakened stance during early COVID-19 stages.
• Lack of Enforcement Mechanism: The treaty, like the International Health Regulations (2005), lacks sanctions for non-compliance, risking weak implementation.
• Equity vs. Data Sovereignty Conflict: High-income countries demand immediate pathogen data, while LMICs seek guaranteed access to vaccines—leading to mistrust.
  For example: India and South Africa’s push for TRIPS Waiver during COVID-19 faced resistance from the EU, highlighting global North-South asymmetry.
• IPR and Corporate Resistance: Pharmaceutical companies oppose mandatory technology transfer clauses, despite public funding for vaccine R&D.
  For example: Moderna refused to share its mRNA platform with WHO-backed African manufacturers, despite receiving substantial U.S. public funding.
• National Sovereignty Concerns: States fear loss of control over domestic health policies, even though the treaty reaffirms sovereignty.
  For example: Countries like Brazil and Hungary voiced reservations against any international obligations affecting national pandemic strategies.

Way Forward 

• Add Legal and Compliance Mechanisms: Integrate WTO-style dispute resolution mechanisms and incentives for cooperation, like access to patent pools and R&D funding.
  For example: India’s role in the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) model under WHO can be expanded to improve IPR compliance and benefit-sharing.
• WHO Financial and Structural Reforms: Increase assessed (mandatory) contributions to reduce donor dependency and strengthen WHO’s autonomy.
  For example: India, in its G20 presidency, emphasized sustainable WHO funding and transparency as part of its health priority tracks.
• National-Level Pandemic Legislation: Countries must create or revise national pandemic laws aligning with treaty obligations on surveillance, workforce, and logistics.
  For example: India’s draft Public Health Bill, initiated post-COVID, seeks to formalize pandemic response protocols and legal coordination with WHO.
• Operationalize Technology Transfer Hubs: Strengthen mRNA hubs, expand licensing under the MPP, and resolve IPR bottlenecks for LMIC manufacturers.
  For example: India’s Bharat Biotech and Biological E can partner with global hubs to decentralize vaccine production capacity.
• Inclusive and Transparent Governance: Ensure civil society, private sector, and local communities are represented in implementation for trust and accountability.
  For example: India’s National Health Authority (NHA) engages private players and NGOs in digital health and emergency distribution planning under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

The Pandemic Treaty symbolizes a rare multilateral breakthrough for health security in a divided world. Yet, its effectiveness hinges on enforcement, inclusivity, and equity. For India and the global South, it offers a chance to rewrite health diplomacy, making future responses more coordinated, just, and economically resilient.