INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), adopted the global pandemic
agreement on Tuesday.The "pandemic agreement" proposes the establishment of a series of new platforms and mechanisms aimed at
comprehensively reforming the existing systems for pandemic surveillance, prevention and response
It seeks to promote research and equitable sharing of pandemic-related products, adjust the production and distribution order of such
products, and further improve the global public health governance system, with a particular focus on addressing fairness challenges in
international health development.WHO member states, meeting on Monday in Committee A of the WHA, approved a resolution calling for adoption
of the pandemic agreement
According to a press release on the WHO website, the resolution outlines several steps to advance global preparedness and pave the way for
the agreement's implementation.It includes the launch of a process to draft and negotiate an annex to the agreement that would establish a
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group
The result of this process will be considered at next year's WHA
Once the assembly adopts the PABS annex, the pandemic agreement will then be open for signature and consideration of ratification, including
by national legislative bodies.Following the adoption of the agreement, the Chinese delegation stated that China has been actively engaged
in the agreement negotiation process
Guided by the vision of building a global community of health for all, China has upheld true multilateralism, advocated for greater
solidarity and cooperation among countries, and supported the WHO in playing its central coordinating role.The Chinese delegation also noted
that China has worked with all parties to improve the global health governance system and strengthen global capacity for prevention,
preparedness and response
On technical issues such as pandemic prevention and surveillance, China maintained a science-based approach, put forward constructive
textual proposals, and actively contributed to the drafting process, playing an important role in promoting consensus among member states.In
addition, China, along with countries including Brazil, Indonesia and Bangladesh, actively responded to the legitimate concerns of
developing countries regarding equitable access to health products under the framework of the Group for Equity
These efforts demonstrated China's image as a responsible major country.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the assembly
that "the WHO pandemic agreement will run among the most significant achievements in the history of this organization and of global health,"
underscoring that it places humanity in a stronger position than ever before to prepare for and respond to pandemics.In November 2021, a
special session of the WHA established an intergovernmental negotiating body tasked with drafting a pandemic agreement under the WHO
framework to enhance global capacities for pandemic preparedness, prevention and response.On April 16 this year, the WHO announced that,
following more than three years of intensive negotiations, member states had reached a consensus on the draft text of the agreement, which
was then submitted for consideration at the 78th session.(Cover: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivers his report before
delegates during the 78th WHA in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19, 2025
