On May 20, the World Health Assembly (WHA) - the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) - officially adopted a landmark agreement to strengthen the ability to respond to future pandemics.
The announcement was made on the second working day of the 78th annual session of the WHA in Geneva, Switzerland. Philippine Health Secretary Ted Herbosa - who chaired the session - confirmed: "The resolution has been adopted". 124 countries voted in favor, no countries voted against, and 11 countries abstained. The draft agreement addresses structural inequities in the development of medicines, vaccines, and medical devices, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed millions of people in 2020–2022. The agreement is widely seen by diplomats and experts as a triumph for global cooperation at a time when multilateral organizations such as the WHO are being negatively impacted by US funding cuts.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirmed that governments around the world are making their countries and the global community fairer, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses with pandemic potential.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addresses the 78th annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 19, 2025. Photo: THX/TTXVN
After three years of difficult negotiations, the agreement is considered by many diplomats and experts as a victory for global cooperation in the context of multilateral organizations such as the WHO being negatively affected by sharp cuts in US funding. US negotiators withdrew from the negotiations after President Donald Trump began the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO within 12 months of his inauguration. Therefore, the US will not be bound by this agreement. At this year's session, delegates will discuss about 75 agenda items, including: human resources for health, drug resistance, health emergencies, polio, climate change, etc. Another important issue is sustainable finance. WHA is expected to discuss the 2026-2027 program budget, which will likely be reduced from $5.3 billion to $4.267 billion, while refocusing priorities, strengthening core functions, and improving organizational efficiency.
Compiled by: Le Minh Dat (email: lmd@vpha.org.vn)
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References:
1. Báo Sức khoẻ đời sống. Các nước thành viên WHO ủng hộ thỏa thuận toàn cầu chống đại dịch. Accessed May21, 2025. https://suckhoedoisong.vn/cac-nuoc-thanh-vien-who-ung-ho-thoa-thuan-toan-cau-chong-dai-dich-169250520104716282.htm