Global Pandemic Treaty without the U.S.: A World United Against Pandemics

Why in News?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a legally binding global pandemic treaty to strengthen international cooperation in the event of future pandemics but without the participation of the United States.

Key Points:

• The WHO adopted a legally binding Global Pandemic Treaty in May 2025 to strengthen global cooperation during future pandemics, following lessons from COVID-19.
• The treaty includes a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, requiring pharmaceutical companies to share a portion of vaccines and treatments with WHO.
• It encourages technology transfer and equitable access to medicines for developing countries.
• However, the treaty grants no enforcement powers to WHO—it cannot mandate lockdowns, vaccines, or override national laws.
• The U.S. did not join the treaty, raising concerns about its effectiveness, given America’s major role in global health and pharmaceuticals.

Why Was the Pandemic Treaty Needed?

• The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how unprepared the world was to deal with global health crises.
• Vaccine hoarding by wealthy nations, helplessness of developing countries, and a lack of coordinated global response cost millions of lives.
• Negotiations for a Global Pandemic Treaty began in December 2021, during the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
• A 2021 report by the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response stated that "poor strategic choices, inequalities, and lack of global coordination intensified the crisis."
• In response, negotiations under WHO's leadership began in December 2021, and the treaty was officially adopted in May 2025.
• Notably, this treaty was adopted without the participation of the United States.

Absence of the United States

• The United States formally withdrew from the WHO on January 20, 2025, under President Donald Trump's renewed leadership.
• The U.S. did not participate in the finalization of the treaty.
• Experts believe that America’s absence may weaken the treaty, given its leading role in global health.
• The U.S. is a major player in the pharmaceutical and vaccine industries, and its non-participation creates a significant gap.

What Is the Global Pandemic Treaty?

• The Pandemic Treaty is a legally binding international agreement adopted by WHO member states to coordinate global responses during pandemics.
• It is the second legally binding agreement in WHO’s history, the first being the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003.

Key Objectives of the Treaty

• Strengthen global coordination during pandemics
• Promote transparency in sharing data on pathogens and vaccines
• Ensure equitable access to medicines and vaccines
• Encourage technology transfer and knowledge sharing
• Create fair public health policies across nations

Major Provisions of the Treaty

• Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing (PABS) System
  • Under this, scientific data like pathogen samples and genomic sequences will be shared via WHO.
  • In return, pharmaceutical companies must provide 10% of their vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics free of charge to WHO and another 10% at discounted prices.
• Technology and Knowledge Exchange
  • Developed countries and pharma firms must help developing nations build local vaccine and drug production capacities.
  • Research funding provided to universities and private companies must ensure that outputs are equitably shared during pandemics.
• National Preparedness
  • All member states must develop pandemic response policies at the national level.
  • Governments, public health agencies, and private companies are expected to collaborate under this framework.

What is WHO?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized UN agency, established on 7 April 1948 to promote the highest possible level of health.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO currently has 194 member states.
• WHO was created after World War II to address global health challenges and facilitate international cooperation.
• Its main functions include setting health policies, monitoring global diseases, standardizing vaccines and medicines, and providing technical assistance to member states.
• Its top decision-making body is the World Health Assembly, while execution is handled by the Executive Board.
• WHO's Director-General currently is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
• The treaty aims to offer a legal framework for equitable access to health resources and to foster global commitment.

Limitations of the Treaty: Is It Enough?

No Binding Power

• Article 24, Paragraph 3 states that WHO has no authority to interfere in the internal laws or policies of any country.

No Power to Enforce Lockdowns or Vaccine Mandates

• WHO cannot impose lockdowns, vaccination mandates, travel bans, or other measures on any nation.

Uncertainty in Enforcement

• If countries fail to comply with treaty provisions during a future pandemic, WHO has no punitive mechanism.

Concerns over Innovation & Intellectual Property

• Pharmaceutical companies fear that weak protection of IP rights may discourage innovation.
• The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) emphasized that tackling pandemics without private sector involvement would be difficult.

Criticism & the Way Ahead

• The U.S. non-participation raises questions about the treaty’s overall effectiveness.
• Though symbolically important, the treaty lacks clear enforcement mechanisms, making its practical utility limited.
• The Global Pandemic Treaty is a historic step toward a united global health response.
• However, its true impact will depend on political will, transparency, and ethical responsibility of individual nations.