WHO Members Agree to Draft of Legally Binding Pandemic Accord

Member States of the World Health Organization have agreed to develop the first draft of a legally binding agreement designed to protect the world from future pandemics. This "zero draft" of the pandemic accord, rooted in the WHO Constitution, will be discussed by Member States in February 2023.

"Countries have delivered a clear message that the world must be better prepared, coordinated and supported to protect all people, everywhere, from a repeat of Covid-19," said Mr Driece, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) Bureau. "The decision to task us with the duty to develop a zero draft of a pandemic accord represents a major milestone in the path towards making the world safer."

Fellow INB Bureau Co-Chair, Ms Matsoso, said government representatives stressed that any future pandemic accord would need to take into account equity, strengthen preparedness, ensure solidarity, promote a whole-of-society and whole- of-government approach, and respect the sovereignty of countries.