Overview

• The agreement was adopted by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly, with 124 votes in favor, no objections, and 11 abstentions.
• It outlines principles to strengthen global health systems, including equitable access to vaccines, therapies, and diagnostics during pandemics.
• The treaty emphasizes national sovereignty, ensuring WHO cannot mandate national legislation or impose measures like lockdowns or vaccination requirements.
• Member States initiated steps to draft a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, with results to be reviewed at next year’s assembly.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to reserve 20% of pandemic-related health tools for WHO-guided distribution based on public health needs.