UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21th May 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs WHO Adopts ‘Pandemic Agreement’ to Avoid Repeat of COVID-19 Failures

WHO Adopts ‘Pandemic Agreement’ to Avoid Repeat of COVID-19 Failures

Why in News?

The World Health Organization (WHO) member states adopted a new pandemic agreement on May 20, 2025, aimed at improving global prevention, preparedness, and response to future pandemics.

Key Highlights:

Purpose:

Designed to address the fragmented global response seen during COVID-19 by fostering cooperation, transparency, and equity.

Main Provisions:

Guarantees equitable access to tests, medicines, and vaccines.
Requires up to 20% of pandemic-related health tools (vaccines, diagnostics, treatments) to be contributed to WHO for distribution to low-income countries.
Promotes virus sample sharing to accelerate global research and vaccine development.

Symbol of Multilateralism:

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the pact as a “historic” multilateral achievement amid rising global nationalism.

Challenges Ahead:

Non-binding: No penalties for violations; success depends on voluntary compliance.
US Not Participating: The United States, WHO’s top historical funder, did not join the final agreement process, citing earlier withdrawal decisions.

Adopted At:

WHO Annual Assembly, Geneva, after three years of negotiations among member states.

About WHO and Its Role During COVID-19:

Established: In 1948 as the UN’s specialized health agency.
Mandate: To promote global health, set health standards, coordinate responses to health emergencies, and support member states in disease prevention and control.
Role During COVID-19:
- Declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
- Launched the COVAX initiative with GAVI and CEPI to ensure fair global access to COVID-19 vaccines.
- Faced criticism for delayed response, over-reliance on member state disclosures (notably China), and lack of enforcement powers.
- Later strengthened its role in guiding health protocols, testing standards, and data sharing.

India’s Role and Impact:

Support for Multilateral Health Governance:
India advocated for One Health, pandemic preparedness, and equitable vaccine access during its G20 presidency (2023).
Global Vaccine Supplier:
- Home to the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, India was a key supplier of vaccines through COVAX and bilateral arrangements.
- The new WHO agreement reinforces India’s strategic role as the “pharmacy of the Global South”.
Health Diplomacy and Infrastructure:
- India’s collaboration with WHO could see expansion through vaccine diplomacy, biosecurity, and pandemic surveillance systems.
- Legal reforms may be needed to align with the treaty, including updates to the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and Disaster Management Act, 2005.