Continued action and investment
Continued action and investment needed to sustain progress and better prepare the world to respond to pandemic threats.
Pandemic emergencies:
prevent, prepare for and respond
How global cooperation can address pandemic emergencies and build a more healthy and sustainable future
Why is the UN discussing pandemic preparedness?
Viruses, like COVID-19, do not respect borders.
A country may detect an outbreak first, but people in other countries can quickly become infected.
That makes surveillance, data sharing, research, vaccines, diagnostics and treatments international concerns.
Years after COVID-19 killed millions, shocked health systems, disrupted lives and drove the global economy to a virtual standstill, the world is trying to make sure it is better prepared for the next pandemic.
The need is even greater amidst growing threats on global stability and security from emerging infectious diseases to climate-related crises and conflicts.
At the United Nations, Member States are asking a fundamental question:
How can the world protect people and nations from pandemic emergencies?
The next pandemic: are we ready?
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep fissures in our global preparedness to health emergencies — from unequal access to vaccines to a lack of coordinated response. In this video, we break down the WHO pandemic treaty, why it matters, and how it aims to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemics.
Did you know?
A “pandemic emergency” is a communicable disease outbreak that spreads widely across multiple countries, overwhelming health systems, causing major social or economic disruption, and requiring coordinated international action.
Preparedness starts before an outbreak
In 2021, about 4.5 billion people were not fully covered by essential health services, underscoring the need to strengthen health systems before the next emergency.
Local outbreaks can become global threats fast
The International Health Regulations require countries to notify WHO of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
Most new infectious diseases begin in animals
Around 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, meaning they originate in animals.
Health workers are on the front line of every outbreak
WHO estimated that between 80,000 and 180,000 health and care workers may have died from COVID-19 between January 2020 and May 2021.
Pandemics disrupt more than emergency care
During COVID-19, 90 per cent of countries reported disruptions to essential health services.
The world now has a WHO Pandemic Agreement
In 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement, to make the world safer and more equitable before, during and after future pandemics.
It is critical [...] to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics.”
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General
How has the UN responded to pandemic emergencies?
Pandemic preparedness has been on the United Nations agenda for some time. Here are some of the key milestones in international action.
2005
World Health Assembly adopted the revised International Health Regulations
2009
General Assembly adopted resolution on global health and foreign policy
2014
UN system responded to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
2020
General Assembly adopts resolution on global solidarity to fight COVID-19
2025
World Health Assembly adopted WHO Pandemic Agreement
2026
General Assembly returns to pandemic preparedness at the high level
2027
World Health Assembly to finalise the pathogens annex of the Pandemic Agreement
Five facts
Looking for a quick overview? Start with these five facts about pandemic preparedness.
The International Health Regulations (2005) remain the main legally binding global framework for health emergency detection, notification and response. The 2024 amendments strengthened that framework after COVID-19.
From 2020 onward, the General Assembly adopted a series of resolutions on solidarity, equitable access, recovery and preparedness. The 2023 political declaration is the main political outcome.
UN and WHO actions increasingly stress equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, financing, technology transfer and health-system capacity.
The 2025 agreement represents the most significant WHO-led treaty-level action on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response since the adoption of the revised International Health Regulations.
UN action connects pandemic preparedness with universal health coverage, resilient health systems, humanitarian access, conflict settings, supply chains, social protection and sustainable development.
Key takeaways
World leaders push for stronger pandemic preparedness
World leaders meeting at the United Nations General Assembly renewed commitments to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics, calling for equitable investment, stronger health systems and sustained international cooperation.
Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system
The PABS system will enable research, development and timely and equitable sharing of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health products.
One Health approach
This approach addresses the connections between human, animal and environmental health.
Political will and international cooperation
Protecting the world from future pandemics will require continued political leadership, international cooperation and long-term investment.
Learn more
Explore expert insights, stories, and resources on one of the defining challenges of our time.
Explainer
The race to build a pandemic-proof world
Six years after COVID-19 killed millions, battered health systems, disrupted lives and brought the global economy to a virtual standstill, the world is still grappling with how we can prepare better for the next pandemic.
Agreement
WHO Pandemic Agreement
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025, marking a historic moment for global public health.
Website
COVID-19 response
This website features important advisories, guidelines, resources, and materials on the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Day
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
General Assembly proclaimed 27 December as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
More from the United Nations
Explore the latest news and updates from across the United Nations on pandemic preparedness.