WHO Pandemic Pact Explained

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Picture Courtesy:  DOWNTOEARTH

Context

Negotiations are underway at the WHO to finalise the last unresolved part of the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, a system for sharing dangerous pathogens and the benefits that come from them.

What is WHO Pandemic Agreement?

The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) member states in May 2025. 

Its primary goal is to ensure the world is better prepared for future health emergencies through enhanced global cooperation and equity. 

Key Objectives & Provisions

Equitable Access

The Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System mandates countries to share pathogen data (like virus samples) for guaranteed access to 20% of resulting pandemic products (vaccines, diagnostics, treatments): 10% donated and 10% at affordable prices.

One Health Approach

It formally adopts the "One Health" principle, recognizing that human health is deeply connected to animal and environmental health, aimed at preventing zoonotic diseases from spilling over to humans.

Global Supply Chain

It establishes a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to ensure medical supplies are distributed fairly and rapidly during a crisis.

Financial Mechanism

A Coordinating Financial Mechanism will be set up to help developing nations build the necessary infrastructure to handle future pandemics. 

What It Does NOT Do?

Agreement explicitly safeguards national sovereignty. It cannot grant the WHO authority to: 

• Impose lockdowns or travel bans.
• Mandate vaccinations or specific medical treatments.
• Direct or override a country's domestic laws or public health policies. 

Current Status

Adoption: The framework was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025.

Finalizing Details: An Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) is currently negotiating the specific operational details of the PABS system, which will form a mandatory annex. This is expected to be finalized by May 2026.

Ratification: Once the annex is adopted, the agreement will be open for signature. It will officially enter into force 30 days after 60 countries have ratified it through their own national processes.

Participation: While 124 countries voted in favour, some key nations like the United States have declined to participate or have abstained, which may impact the treaty's global effectiveness. 

Major Areas of Contention and Debate

The negotiations are primarily split between the interests of developed nations (Global North) and developing nations (Global South). The key disputes revolve around three main themes.

1. Equity vs Access (Global North vs Global South)

Access to Vaccines & Drugs:

• Global South: Continues to demand at least 20% of real-time production of pandemic products be made available to the WHO for equitable distribution.
• Global North: Initially resisted mandatory allocations but have largely coalesced around a commitment where manufacturers provide 20% of their real-time production to the WHO; 10% donated and 10% at affordable prices.

Intellectual Property (IPR) Waivers:

• Global South: Led by nations like India and South Africa, push for mandatory TRIPS waivers and legally binding technology transfers.
• Global North: Opposed to mandatory waivers, however, the final agreement favored a pragmatic model of voluntary technology transfer hubs and "fair and reasonable" licensing instead of legal patent waivers.

Benefit Sharing (PABS System):

• Global South: Demands legally binding monetary and non-monetary benefits (e.g., royalties, technology access) in exchange for sharing pathogen data.
• Global North: Prioritises unrestricted, rapid access to pathogen sequence data for surveillance.  

2. Biosafety vs Rapid Pathogen Sharing

A coalition of scientists has raised alarms that the treaty, in its current form, prioritizes speed over safety, increasing the risk of lab-induced pandemics.

• The Risk: The draft mandates countries to rapidly share pathogen samples and genetic data through the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.
• The Concern: Critics argue this will encourage the proliferation of high-containment labs (BSL-3/4) globally without equally strong, legally binding biosafety and biosecurity protocols.

3. The "One Health" Approach

The "One Health" approach links human, animal, and environmental health. The treaty mentions it but is criticized for lacking enforcement.

• The Gap: The text fails to include binding commitments to address the root causes of zoonotic (animal-to-human) diseases, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, and unregulated wildlife trade.
• The Result: Without actionable policies on these fronts, the treaty's "prevention" aspect remains weak and largely rhetorical.

India's Stance and Role

As the "Pharmacy of the World" and a leading voice for the Global South, India plays a crucial and balancing role in the negotiations.

Advocating For Equity: India strongly advocates for the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), arguing that while all nations share responsibility, developed countries must provide finance and technology to developing nations.

Manufacturing Diversification: India is pushing for a geographically diversified global manufacturing network to prevent the supply chain concentration seen during COVID-19.

Strengthening Domestic Capacity: India is enhancing its own pandemic preparedness through the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).  

Integrating Traditional Medicine: The establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, showcases India's leadership in promoting a more inclusive and holistic approach to global health.

Conclusion

The WHO Pandemic Agreement must be a balanced compromise, bridging the Global North-South divide to safeguard global health security and justice by enforcing biosafety, ensuring equity, and accelerating pathogen sharing.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH