Years of negotiations culminated early on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) at the World Health Organization’s headquarters in Geneva, with countries agreeing on the text of a landmark accord on how to tackle future pandemics, aimed at avoiding the mistakes made during the Covid-19 crisis

The deal comes after more than three years of negotiations and a final intense session that lasted into the early hours of the morning.

“Tonight marks a significant milestone in our shared journey towards a safer world,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The nations of the world made history in Geneva today.”

Five years after the onset of COVID-19, which caused millions of deaths and widespread disruptions, the urgency to reach a consensus was high, especially with new infectious threats like bird flu, mpox, Ebola, and measles looming.

The concluding phase of the discussions unfolded amid growing concerns over US foreign aid cuts and proposed pharmaceutical tariffs.

Final hurdle cleared after tense debate

One of the last sticking points was Article 11, which concerns the transfer of pandemic-related technology to developing countries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wealthier nations were accused of monopolizing vaccines and diagnostics, fueling calls for a more equitable system.

While countries with strong pharmaceutical industries opposed mandatory tech sharing, a compromise was reached by including a provision that such transfers must be “mutually agreed upon.”

The heart of the agreement is the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), designed to facilitate quick data sharing with pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of pandemic countermeasures.

Ultimately, the full 32-page draft was marked green, signifying universal approval by all WHO member states.

“It’s adopted,” declared negotiations co-chair Anne-Claire Amprou, sparking loud applause.

“In drafting this historic agreement, the countries of the world have demonstrated their shared commitment to preventing and protecting everyone, everywhere, from future pandemic threats.”

The accord will now be submitted for formal adoption at the WHO’s annual assembly next month.

A push for equity and preparedness

Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Tedros said the final draft represented a “balanced” approach that promoted “more equity” in pandemic response.

While acknowledging the cost of preparedness efforts, he emphasized that “the cost of inaction is much bigger”.

“Virus is the worst enemy. (It) could be worse than a war.”

Noticeably absent from the negotiations was the United States. President Donald Trump pulled the country out of the WHO and the treaty talks shortly after returning to office in January, triggering concerns among allies and health advocates.

Despite the US absence and Trump’s proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical products, negotiators managed to reach a consensus.

Next steps: Implementation and industry support

With the accord in place, attention now turns to how it will be implemented.

The pharmaceutical industry has stressed the importance of intellectual property protections and regulatory clarity to ensure companies are willing to invest in future pandemic solutions.

“The pandemic agreement is a starting point,” said David Reddy, head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations. “We hope that in subsequent negotiations, member states maintain the conditions for the private sector to continue innovating against pathogens of pandemic potential.”

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, hailed the agreement as a triumph of multilateralism.

“At a time when multilateralism is under threat, WHO member states have joined together to say that we will defeat the next pandemic threat in the only way possible: by working together.”

As dawn broke over Geneva and celebrations echoed in WHO’s halls, Eswatini’s representative offered a sobering reminder: “Whilst we celebrate this moment, we need not rest on our laurels. The real work begins now.”