The WHO Pandemic Agreement:
A defining moment, if we seize it

On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement, a decision that many are hailing as a milestone for global health diplomacy. Framed as a response to the failures laid bare by COVID-19, the agreement sets out to ensure the world is better prepared and more equitable when the next pandemic strikes. But does this accord truly mark a turning point in pandemic preparedness, or does it risk becoming another well-intentioned yet ultimately toothless framework? The true value of this agreement lies not in its text, but in how nations implement its principles, challenge power imbalances, and redefine health as a global good. A bold blueprint born of crisis The WHO Pandemic Agreement, negotiated over three years by 194 member states, is an ambitious framework designed to address the gaps exposed by COVID-19. At its core, it includes: Equitable and timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, notably through...