Signal WHO member states adopt a pandemic prevention agreement (2025)

Summary

The report records that WHO member states signed a pandemic prevention agreement in 2025 to structurally improve prevention, preparedness and global response capacity. The WHO and other organisations are focusing increasingly on more systematic preparedness and prevention, for example through an alert hub to detect future outbreaks faster. Besides COVID-19, other infectious diseases with pandemic potential, such as mpox circulating mainly in Africa, are being monitored worldwide. The report explains that, through various WHO efforts, there is a shift from ad hoc responses to permanent preparedness and management frameworks with standardised plans for rapid detection, response capacity and international cooperation. Even with these improvements, however, the report considers the risk of new pandemics to remain high.