The World Health Organisation (WHO), has adopted the world’s first pandemic agreement to make the world more equitable and safer from future outbreaks of diseases.

The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly, Tuesday, is a highpoint of over three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal to make the world safer and healthier.

The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said with the agreement, the world will safer, thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of member states to adopt the historic pandemic agreement.

Dr Ghebreyesus emphasised that the agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action, which will ensure the world is collectively protected from pandemic threats.

“It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19,”  he said.

The adopted WHO pandemic agreement at a plenary session of the World Health Assembly followed the approval of the agreement by vote, which was124 in favour, 0 objections, 11 abstentions in committee by member state delegations.

Secretary of the Philippines Department of Health, and President of this year’s World Health Assembly, who presided over the agreement’s adoption, Dr Teodoro Herbosa, said, “Starting during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments from all corners of the world acted with great purpose, dedication and urgency, and in doing so exercising their national sovereignty, to negotiate the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement that was been adopted.

 “Now that the Agreement has been brought to life, we must all act with the same urgency to implement its critical elements, including systems to ensure equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products.”