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The WHO Pandemic Treaty was adopted as the second legally binding treaty in the WHO’s 75-year history, following the 2003 Tobacco Control Treaty.

Need for the Treaty:

• Vaccine inequity during COVID-19: Rich nations hoarded vaccines, poor countries had limited access.
• The Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness (2021) criticized poor planning, inequality, and lack of coordination.

Key provisions: 

• Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing System: Under it companies receive pathogen samples and genomic data. In return, they must provide 10% of their production to the WHO for free and another 10% at affordable prices.
• Technology Sharing: Countries to promote transfer of know-how to manufacturers in developing countries.
• Public Funding Conditionality: Governments should ensure equitable access to products developed with public funds.
• National Policy Requirements: States must frame policies for access to drugs and diagnostics developed with state funding.