New Pandemic Agreement adopted at WHA78
On May 20, 2025, during the 78th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, World Health Organization Member States adopted the Pandemic Agreement—a historic document aimed at strengthening global preparedness and response to future pandemics.
“The next pandemic is a question of timing, not possibility. And the world must be prepared. Ukraine supports international initiatives that will help save lives, ensure equitable access to medical resources, and reinforce national healthcare systems”
The Pandemic Agreement is the result of over three years of collaborative negotiations involving governments, experts, and international organizations. It is designed to serve as the cornerstone for improved international coordination, addressing lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the global community for future health challenges.
It establishes a framework for global coordination, including the creation of a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, aimed at enabling the rapid exchange of data and reserving 20% of vaccines and treatments for low- and middle-income countries. It also outlines the creation of the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL), the development of national preparedness plans, equitable geographic distribution of manufacturing capacities, financial support mechanisms for countries in need, and the implementation of the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
Although the WHO Pandemic Agreement has been approved, it will enter into force only after negotiations on its annexes are finalized and it is ratified by national legislative bodies. Ukraine supports this initiative and advocates for the creation of an equitable and reliable international health security framework.
Speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian delegation, Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, shared Ukraine’s experience in confronting the challenges of war within the healthcare sector and emphasized the need for global solidarity to strengthen health security worldwide. He reminded participants that Ukraine has been living amid ongoing war for over three years—a war that, among other things, deliberately targets the healthcare system. As a result of ongoing hostilities, more than 2,300 medical facilities in Ukraine have been damaged, and 305 have been completely destroyed. Hospitals have continuously been targeted by attacks, medical workers have been killed, and ambulances have come under hostile fire. In the face of these extreme conditions, the healthcare system continues to function seamlessly, driven by the dedication of medical staff and support from international partners. The Ukrainian delegation pointed out that global challenges like pandemics, climate change, migration, and mental health crises require more than analyzing past events. It necessitates a new framework for action, equitable funding, and solutions based on international cooperation and solidarity.
Ukraine’s engagement in the 78th World Health Assembly serves as both evidence of the national healthcare system’s resilience during wartime and a confirmation of our country’s preparedness to actively participate in the global policymaking process in the field of healthcare.
For reference:
As part of the 78th World Health Assembly, Ukraine is participating in the review of a number of WHO strategic documents, including:
1. the updated report on the implementation of the 2022 World Health Assembly resolution “Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee receiving and hosting countries, stemming from the russian federation’s aggression”;
2. the review of five documents that Ukraine joined as a co-initiator during the WHO Executive Board meeting in February 2025:
- Resolution on “Strengthening health financing globally” (initiated by Nigeria);
- Resolution on “Accelerating action on global health and care workforce by 2030” (initiated by the Philippines and Morocco);
- Resolution on “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease” (initiated by Guatemala);
- Resolution on “Extension of the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” (initiated by Ireland and Ethiopia);
- WHO Decision on prioritizing mental health (initiated by Chile and the Dominican Republic).