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World Health Assembly adopts first global pandemic agreement, UN welcomes move
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Summary
The World Health Organization adopted by consensus a new pandemic agreement after more than three years of negotiations; the United Nations said the pact aims to strengthen preparedness, equity and global cooperation for future health emergencies.
The World Health Assembly on Friday adopted by consensus the world’s first pandemic agreement, a decision the United Nations called a landmark outcome of more than three years of negotiations following the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN spokesperson said the agreement “strengthened global preparedness against pandemics, ensures equity and solidarity in response to health threats, and upholds health as a right.” The briefing noted the full text and supporting information are available through the World Health Organization.
The agreement culminates negotiations launched by governments after the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended to provide a framework for international cooperation on future pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, delegates and UN officials said. The spokesperson urged that public-health matters be addressed in a science-based, nonpolitical manner and described WHO as the platform for such cooperation.
Questions during the briefing referenced the United States’ recent comments about WHO; the spokesperson reiterated that WHO is part of the UN system and that member states should address global health issues collectively and on scientific grounds.
The UN said the agreement would be discussed and implemented through WHO mechanisms and that the UN would share related Secretariat-level remarks and documents with member states and the public.
