On May 20, 2025, during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a landmark, legally binding agreement aimed at enhancing global preparedness for future pandemics. This accord, developed over more than three years of negotiations following the COVID-19 pandemic, seeks to strengthen international collaboration, equity, and resilience in the face of global health threats.

The agreement introduces several key provisions, including a commitment to a "One Health" approach to pandemic prevention, the establishment of a coordinating financial mechanism, and the creation of a globally coordinated supply chain and logistics network for health emergencies. It also proposes a new pathogen access and benefit-sharing system and emphasizes the importance of national sovereignty in public health decisions. Notably, the United States, having withdrawn from the WHO in January 2025 under Executive Order 14155, did not participate in the final stages of the negotiations and is not bound by the treaty.

The agreement was formally approved during the World Health Assembly with 124 countries voting in favor, none against, and 11 abstentions, including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, and Iran. Despite a last-minute challenge from Slovakia, the agreement passed with broad support from the international community.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the agreement as a triumph for public health, science, and multilateral cooperation. He stated, "In reaching consensus on the Pandemic Agreement, not only did they put in place a generational accord to make the world safer, they have also demonstrated that multilateralism is alive and well."

The United States' withdrawal from the WHO was formalized through Executive Order 14155, issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. The executive order cited the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged political interference as reasons for the withdrawal. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the WHO as bureaucratically bloated and ineffective, describing the organization as "moribund" and urging other countries to follow the U.S. example by withdrawing from it.

In contrast, China has pledged to contribute an additional $500 million to the WHO over the next five years. This financial commitment was announced by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, emphasizing China's support for the global health body and advocating for multilateral efforts to address global health challenges.

The adoption of this agreement signifies a collective global effort to address the shortcomings exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in terms of equity and preparedness. The emphasis on a One Health approach and equitable access to medical resources aims to prevent future health crises and ensure that all nations, regardless of economic status, are better equipped to handle pandemics.

However, the absence of the United States from the agreement raises concerns about the effectiveness of global health coordination, given the country's significant influence and resources. Additionally, the financial shortfall resulting from the U.S. withdrawal poses challenges for the WHO, although China's increased funding may help mitigate some of these issues.

This comprehensive agreement marks a pivotal moment in global health governance, reflecting lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and aiming to create a more resilient and equitable framework for future health emergencies.