Overview
- Founded: 7 April 1948
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Parent Organization: United Nations
- Membership: 194 Member States
- Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Governing Body: World Health Assembly (WHA)
Core Functions
- Setting international health standards and norms
- Coordinating global responses to health emergencies
- Supporting countries in strengthening their health systems
- Conducting health-related research and disseminating evidence-based practices
- Monitoring and assessing health trends globally
WHO Pandemic Agreement (2025)
- On May 20, 2025, Member States of WHO unanimously adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement during the 78th World Health Assembly.
- Culmination of 3+ years of negotiations initiated after the COVID-19 crisis.
- Approved in committee with 124 votes in favour, 0 objections, and 11 abstentions.
Objectives of the Agreement
- Strengthen global collaboration in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- Promote equity in access to health resources across nations.
- Ensure international coordination through shared principles, approaches, and tools.
- Enhance the global health architecture to prevent vulnerabilities seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Components of the Pandemic Agreement
- Emphasis on early warning systems, transparent data sharing, and rapid response mechanisms.
- Provisions for equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
- Reinforcement of national health system capacities through international support.
- Legal and ethical frameworks to ensure solidarity and accountability among nations.
Significance for India and the World
- India, a major WHO member, played an active role in the negotiation process.
- Aligns with India’s push for Global South inclusion in global health governance.
- Enhances the global capacity to deal with cross-border health threats efficiently and equitably.
- Establishes a more resilient and inclusive global health order, essential for SDG-3: Good Health & Well-being.
