On April 16, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that its member states have reached a legally binding agreement aimed at enhancing global preparedness for future pandemics. This accord, developed over more than three years of negotiations, is a direct response to the challenges exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.

The agreement introduces several key measures to strengthen international health security:

• Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System: A system to ensure that countries sharing virus samples receive equitable access to resulting diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

• Diversification of Global Research Capabilities: An emphasis on expanding research capacities worldwide to better respond to emerging health threats.

• Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network: The establishment of a robust network to ensure timely distribution of medical resources during health emergencies.

• Strengthening Health Systems' Readiness: A focus on bolstering health systems globally to enhance their readiness for future pandemics.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus celebrated the agreement as a symbol of global unity amid division. Global health expert Nina Schwalbe hailed the deal as a historic affirmation of international collaboration, showcasing commitment from countries even in the absence of U.S. participation.

Notably, the United States withdrew from the WHO and exited the negotiations earlier this year under President Donald Trump's administration. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order announcing the U.S. withdrawal, citing the WHO's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises, as well as concerns over the organization's independence and financial demands. The withdrawal process requires a one-year notice and the payment of outstanding dues, making the U.S. departure effective on January 22, 2026.

The U.S. has been the largest contributor to the WHO, providing approximately 18% of its funding. The withdrawal is expected to critically weaken the WHO's capability, especially in poorer countries, and may impact global health efforts, including disease surveillance and emergency response.

Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the agreement is viewed as a significant victory for multilateral cooperation. The final proposal of the agreement is scheduled for discussion at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May. If finalized, this would mark only the second international treaty in WHO’s 75-year history, the first being a tobacco control accord in 2003.

The absence of the United States from the agreement raises questions about the future of global health cooperation and the potential impact on the agreement's effectiveness. The U.S. withdrawal may critically weaken the WHO's capability, especially in poorer countries, and may impact global health efforts, including disease surveillance and emergency response.

The upcoming World Health Assembly in May will be a critical juncture for the agreement's adoption and implementation. The global health community will be closely watching to see how the absence of the United States affects the agreement's effectiveness and the future of international health cooperation.