Pandemic Treaty and the WHOPA: A Timeline of Global Health Governance
The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities in how the world prepares for and reacts to large-scale health emergencies. In the wake of this socio-economic crisis, international leaders sought a more structured, legally binding framework to ensure that future outbreaks do not escalate into global catastrophes.
The Origins of the Pandemic Treaty
The journey toward a new global health agreement began on July 9, 2020, when Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Starting in September 2020, this panel conducted a rigorous examination of the factors that allowed COVID-19 to evolve into a global crisis.
In May 2021, the panel released its comprehensive findings in a report titled COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic. A primary recommendation of this report was the creation of a "Pandemic Treaty," designed to coordinate international efforts and strengthen preparedness.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Political Friction and National Resistance
While the WHO pushed for a unified global approach, the proposal met significant political resistance in some regions. On August 29, 2024, Republican governors from 26 US states issued a joint statement declaring that they would not comply with the proposed treaty, citing concerns over sovereignty and governance.
The Adoption of WHOPA
Despite these tensions, progress continued at the international level. On May 20, 2025, during the World Health Assembly (WHA)—the decision-making body of the WHO—124 member states adopted the WHOPA (World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement).
The vote was not unanimous. Eleven countries abstained, including Russia, Iran, Italy, Israel, Poland, and Slovakia. The United States did not participate in the vote, as it was in the process of withdrawing from the WHA. During this period, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, publicly criticized the proceedings in a televised address to the Assembly.
Current Status and Final Requirements
Although the WHOPA has been adopted, the agreement is not yet fully operational. A specific annex regarding the sharing of pathogenic information (the exchange of genetic data and samples of disease-causing organisms) must be finalized. Once this annex is completed, the Agreement can be opened for official signatures and enter into force.
Key Facts
- Initiation: The process started with the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response in July 2020.
- Foundational Report: The May 2021 report COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic called for the treaty.
- Adoption: 124 WHO members adopted the WHOPA on May 20, 2025.
- Dissent: 11 countries abstained, and 26 US state governors previously pledged non-compliance.
- Pending Action: The agreement awaits the finalization of an annex on pathogenic information sharing.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Adopting Members | 124 WHO member states |
| Abstaining Countries | 11 (including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, and Iran) |
| US Status | Withdrawing from WHA; declined to vote |
| Key Requirement for Force | Finalization of pathogenic information sharing annex |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WHOPA?
The WHOPA is the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, adopted by 124 member states to improve global pandemic preparedness and response.
Why was the Pandemic Treaty proposed?
It was proposed following the findings of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, which analyzed why COVID-19 became a global socio-economic crisis.
Which countries abstained from the WHOPA vote?
Eleven countries abstained, including Italy, Russia, Iran, Israel, Poland, and Slovakia.
What is the current status of the agreement?
The agreement has been adopted but cannot be signed or enter into force until an annex on the sharing of pathogenic information is finalized.
What was the US position during the 2025 Assembly?
The United States declined to participate in the vote as it was withdrawing from the World Health Assembly, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the proceedings.