The Australian Government welcomes the adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement.
The Agreement is a significant step towards strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The Agreement takes account of lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic and supports collective action to address pandemic threats, including by strengthening multi-sectoral disease surveillance and access to vaccines.
While the Agreement has been adopted by the World Health Assembly, there are further steps remaining to finalise technical details. Australia will only commence our treaty making process after the Agreement opens for signature, which is not expected until at least mid-2026.
Once the Agreement has entered into force, Australia and our region will be better positioned to reduce pandemic risks and respond swiftly if a pandemic occurs, saving lives and mitigating the impacts on our economies. Australia will retain full sovereignty in making public health decisions which promote the interests of Australians.
Australia is proud to have served as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body for the Pandemic Agreement, representing our diverse Western Pacific region.
This outcome reaffirms the value of multilateral solutions to shared global challenges.
Australia will continue to play our part to ensure the international community is better prepared to respond to future pandemics.
Quote attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
“We need international cooperation on health to help keep Australia, our region, and the world safe. The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement demonstrates the value of the international community working together to find solutions to shared global challenges.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, the Hon Mark Butler MP:
“The next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. We have a collective responsibility to protect public health in all of our countries. The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement is an important step forward.”