After more than three years of worldwide discussions, countries part of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed on a key treaty to improve how the world responds to future pandemics. The deal was finalized in Geneva after almost 24 hours of intense talks. It marks a major milestone in global health cooperation.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it a turning point. He said it was “a legacy for future generations” and praised the hard work of all involved. The exact language of the treaty is now under review. A final vote is expected at the WHO General Assembly in late May 2025.
A Push for Fairer Access to Health Tools
One of the hardest parts of the talks involved how countries should share vaccines, medicines, and other health tools during a health crisis. Poorer nations wanted a rule that made sharing these tools mandatory. Richer countries with strong drug industries preferred to keep sharing voluntary.
In the end, both sides found a middle ground. While the details are still private, those who took part in the talks say it was a fair outcome. Many people saw how unfair the vaccine rollout was during COVID-19. Wealthy countries bought up most of the doses, while many poor countries had to wait months or even years.
COVID-19 as the Driving Force
The idea for a treaty came in 2021, as the world was still in shock from COVID-19. The virus killed over 20 million people and overwhelmed hospitals across the globe. Many leaders realized that the world had not been ready. There were no shared rules for how to handle a fast-spreading disease.
This new treaty is meant to change that. It aims to set up shared rules for how countries will prepare, spot, and deal with outbreaks. That includes sharing data, working faster, and making sure no country is left behind when help is needed.
No U.S. Role Under Trump Administration
One major country is not part of the deal — the United States. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization (WHO) again. That move came early in his new term. The U.S. had rejoined under President Biden, but Trump reversed that decision.
Without the U.S. at the table, many feared the treaty would lose power. Still, WHO officials say the agreement is strong. They believe it will help the world work together better and faster when the next pandemic hits.
A Treaty Shaped by Hard Lessons
The COVID-19 crisis showed the world how badly a lack of planning can hurt. Countries scrambled for masks, tests, and hospital space. Some governments were slow to act or kept secrets about the virus. Trust between nations dropped.
This pandemic treaty aims to rebuild that trust. It sets clear goals for how governments must act. It also looks to boost funding for research and to support countries that need help. By setting rules ahead of time, the treaty hopes to cut down on delays and confusion during the next crisis.
A Step Forward, But Challenges Remain
While this deal is a big step, it’s not the end of the work. Countries still need to approve the final text. They must also follow through on their promises. Experts warn that without real action, the pandemic treaty could end up as just words on paper.
Some watchdog groups have raised concerns about how the treaty will be enforced. Will countries face penalties if they don’t follow the rules? That is still unclear.
Also, the treaty must balance health needs with national laws. Not every country will agree on the best path forward. But most health leaders agree that doing nothing is not an option.
Dr. Ghebreyesus and others at WHO hope this pandemic treaty will be remembered as a key moment. They see it as a chance to turn painful lessons into real change. The treaty could help avoid the chaos seen during COVID-19 and create a fairer, faster system for future health threats.