We congratulate the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) for their efforts to approve the revisions to the International Health Regulations (IHRs) (2005) at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), despite the tensions and pressure that characterized the final phase of the negotiations.
The IHRs adopted in 2005 are legally binding on 196 States Parties. They help to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease. The World Health Assembly 2024 has agreed to a set of amendments to the IHRs that will strengthen the international cooperation to support health security and equity, while recognising countries’ sovereignty in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders. The International Health Regulations as amended can be found in document A77/A/CONF./14.
One of the significant amendments is the introduction of measures to advance equitable access to relevant health products, critical to prevent, prepare for, and respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and public health emergencies of international concern, including a pandemic emergency. These amendments are made to article 13. The World Health Organization shall facilitate, and work to remove barriers to timely and equitable access by States Parties to relevant health products, after the determination of and during a public health emergency of international concern, including a pandemic emergency, based on public health risks and needs.