Countries have adopted a new agreement Tuesdayto protect the world from future pandemics at the World Health Organization’s annual assembly in Geneva.

WHO member countries adopted the agreement by consensus, despite warnings from Slovakia it would seek a vote on the treaty.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the world would be safer thanks to this deal and be better protected from future pandemic threats.

“The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action,” Tedros said. “It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19.”

The pandemic agreement won’t be open for signature and ratification until after further talks on the details of a new system for sharing pathogen data, medicines and vaccines. But Tuesday’s decision completes a turnaround given that the fraught negotiation at times looked destined to end in failure.

A decision on the pathogen access and benefit-sharing (PABS) system is due by next year’s assembly, expected to be held in May 2026, according to a resolution approved Monday night.

The core of the agreement is a set of commitments to expand surveillance of health threats, strengthen prevention measures and share more drugs and vaccines in a crisis. Its provisions fall short of what developing countries pushed for at the outset of talks, but diplomats have hailed it as a stepping stone to more equitable global health rules.

“Consider this agreement a foundation from which to build, starting today,” said Helen
Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

“Many gaps remain in finance, equitable access to medical countermeasures and in understanding evolving risks,” Clark said. “Don’t wait to get started. Dangerous pathogens are looming, and they certainly will not wait.”

A new working group established to negotiate the details of the PABS system will meet by July 15.

This article has been updated with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ comment.