Historic Milestone Reached as State Parties Agree on Amendments to International Health Regulations

State Parties have reached a historic agreement on amendments to the International Health Regulations in a monumental step for global public health. In a session marking the end of the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), negotiators agreed on a comprehensive package of amendments aimed at enhancing countries’ ability to prepare for, detect, and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEICs).

The amendments, which are set to be presented to the World Health Assembly in May 2024, follow over 300 proposals made by countries in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Health Regulations, first adopted in 1969 and last revised in 2005, have played a crucial role in managing public health events while minimizing disruptions to travel and trade.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, hailed the agreement as historic, emphasizing the importance of strengthening international mechanisms to protect people worldwide from the impact of epidemics and pandemics. The amendments aim to enhance international cooperation and bolster collective defenses against current and future public health risks.

The agreement comes amidst concurrent efforts to develop an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, with negotiations set to resume later this month. The draft pandemic agreement, alongside the amended International Health Regulations, represents a significant step towards better global coordination in responding to health crises.

The amendments focus on building countries’ capacities to detect and respond to public health events with international ramifications, while the draft pandemic accord prioritizes a coordinated international response to pandemics, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

The agreement marks a crucial milestone in global health governance, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in safeguarding public health and addressing future pandemic threats. With countries coming together to strengthen their preparedness and response mechanisms, the global community is taking a proactive stance in protecting the health and well-being of populations worldwide.