Next pandemic won’t wait, WHO tells nations to seal global pact

The world remains "dangerously exposed" to future disease outbreaks, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Monday, imploring nations to overcome differences and finalize a landmark global Pandemic Agreement. He stated that each month of delay leaves the world less prepared for the next health emergency.

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The next pandemic will not wait for us to be ready.

Speaking at the opening of the Seventh Meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, Tedros declared, "The next pandemic will not wait for us to be ready." He cautioned delegates that "every month that this Annex remains unfinished is a month the world stays less prepared than it could be." Negotiations are ongoing for the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex, a crucial part of the agreement designed to ensure swift sharing of pathogen samples and fair access to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics during future outbreaks.

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every month that this Annex remains unfinished is a month the world stays less prepared than it could be.

Tedros expressed disappointment that the agreement was not finalized in time for the World Health Assembly but praised member states for their continued commitment. "What matters is that you are here today. You are ready to keep going," he said, framing the ongoing negotiations as a victory for global cooperation. He noted that countries are proving that multilateralism, dialogue, and compromise are still possible despite geopolitical divisions.

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What matters is that you are here today. You are ready to keep going.

He urged delegates to maintain the spirit of compromise and focus on the goal of ensuring pathogen samples move quickly across borders and that benefits reach vulnerable populations equitably. Tedros pointed to the continuing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a concrete example of the ever-present threat of dangerous pathogens, stating, "It is not some distant, hypothetical scenario. It is happening." While Ebola may not be the next pandemic, he stressed that it underscores the urgent need for stronger global preparedness.

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You are proving, with your patience and your persistence, that cooperation is still possible. Dialogue is still possible. Compromise is still possible. And, in time, consensus is still possible too.