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Public Health

An international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

An ambitious pandemic agreement

In May 2025, members of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a new international agreement to improve prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemics.

The Pandemic Agreement marks a decisive step towards enhancing global health security:

  • addressing shortcomings highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • promoting equitable access to vaccines and medical resources
  • enhancing international cooperation and facilitating voluntary technology transfer
  • improving coordination and financial mobilisation for health emergencies
  • creating a more resilient and equitable global health framework
  • increasing the resilience of health workforces and systems
  • supporting capacity building for countries in need

This holistic approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal and plant health and the environment, fostering proactive and fair global-health governance through a One Health approach. The agreement should also boost general trust in the international health system.

EU Member States were represented during the negotiations by the Commission and closely involved in shaping the EU position. The agreement fully respects the health-policy responsibilities and jurisdictions of individual member states.

Entry into force

Negotiations continue on an annex to the agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), ensuring researchers and pharmaceutical companies have open access to pathogens in order to rapidly develop vaccines and treatments when new pandemics occur.

The agreement will enter into force after the annex is adopted and at least 60 WHO member countries or associate members ratify it.

Helping low- and middle-income countries

The pandemic fund for a resilient world – launched in 2022 – finances critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. The European Commission and EU Member States are the largest contributors to the Pandemic Fund.

EU global health strategy

The Commission works closely with its international partners to strengthen global governance through a series of concrete actions, as part of the EU Global Health Strategy. The Pandemic Agreement reflects the goals of that strategy.

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