Tue May 20 14:05:23 UTC 2025: **Headline: WHO Adopts Historic Pandemic Accord, But US Absence Raises Concerns**

**Geneva, Switzerland** – The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a landmark agreement aimed at preventing a repeat of the chaotic and disjointed global response seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legally binding pact, approved by the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday, seeks to improve international coordination, surveillance, and equitable access to medicines during future pandemics.

“It’s an historic day,” declared WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hailing the agreement as a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action. The accord intends to address key shortcomings exposed by the COVID-19 crisis, including disparities in vaccine access and a lack of coordinated global surveillance.

Negotiations were marked by tensions between wealthier and developing nations, particularly regarding equitable access to vaccines and treatments. Dr. Esperance Luvindao, Namibia’s health minister, emphasized the agreement as a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from future pandemics.

However, the absence of the United States from the final stages of negotiations casts a shadow over the treaty’s potential effectiveness. The U.S., traditionally the WHO’s largest donor, withdrew its support during the Trump administration and has not rejoined the agreement process. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, criticized the WHO as “moribund” and urged other countries to follow the U.S. in withdrawing from the organization.

Without the U.S., which played a crucial role in funding COVID-19 vaccine development, the accord’s impact remains uncertain. Furthermore, the treaty lacks enforcement mechanisms, meaning countries face no penalties for non-compliance, a common challenge in international law.

The agreement now moves into a critical phase where countries have until May 2026 to finalize the details of the pathogen access and benefit-sharing (PABS) mechanism. This mechanism will govern the sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and the subsequent distribution of benefits, such as vaccines and treatments. The treaty will enter into force once 60 countries ratify it.

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