Historic WHO World Health Assembly adopts pandemic treaty, global health resolutions

WHO’s 78th World Health Assembly concludes with historic pandemic agreement and global health breakthroughs

GENEVA: The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78)—the largest annual global health policymaking forum convened by the World Health Organization (WHO)—concluded in Geneva recently, delivering transformative agreements on pandemic preparedness, health equity, sustainable financing, and a series of landmark resolutions across diverse health areas.

Held under the theme “One World for Health,” the Assembly brought together delegates from 194 WHO member states to deliberate on 75 health-related items and sub-items. The event marked a turning point in global health governance with bold action for future pandemic prevention, sustainable funding mechanisms, and attention to urgent and long-neglected public health concerns.

Landmark pandemic agreement signals global unity

In what WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described as a “historic” achievement, Member States adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement on May 20. The treaty—culminating three years of negotiations—aims to prevent a repeat of the devastation witnessed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Designed to improve global coordination, equitable access to health technologies, and pandemic response readiness, the agreement safeguards national sovereignty while promoting multilateral accountability. Further consultations on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) will define how countries share samples and access resulting benefits like vaccines and treatments.

Sustainable financing commitments

The Assembly endorsed the second 20% increase in assessed contributions to WHO, strengthening the organization’s financial autonomy. By 2030–2031, these contributions are expected to fund 50% of WHO’s core budget, marking a historic shift towards sustainable financing.

A parallel high-level pledging event during WHA78 secured at least US$ 210 million toward WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, adding to the US$ 1.7 billion already raised. These efforts broaden WHO’s donor base and reinforce resilience in the face of escalating global health demands.

Major resolutions adopted

The Assembly adopted a broad set of impactful resolutions, reflecting WHO’s growing responsiveness to diverse health threats and determinants:

• Resolution on global health financing emergency
• First-ever resolutions on lung and kidney health
• Commitment to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040
• Adoption of norms and standards in health policy based on science
• Resolution for a lead-free future and one promoting social connection as a public health goal
• Decision to expand the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to counter digital promotion of formula
• Resolution to accelerate Guinea worm eradication
• Historic focus on rare diseases, offering hope to over 300 million people worldwide

The Assembly also launched two new WHO global awareness campaigns: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and World Prematurity Day, reaffirming commitments to maternal and neonatal health.

Strengthening health emergency preparedness

WHA78 dedicated significant attention to emergency preparedness. Member States:

• Commended WHO’s role in responding to 51 emergencies in 89 countries in the past year
• Highlighted the impact of climate-related health crises, which made up nearly 60% of new emergencies
• Supported WHO’s HEPR (Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Resilience) framework
• Discussed public health concerns in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territory
• Approved a resolution to strengthen evidence-based public health and social measures to control outbreaks

The assembly’s emphasis on science, solidarity, and sovereignty signaled a reimagined global health architecture—one that is inclusive, sustainable, and better prepared to meet current and future challenges.

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