The World Health Organization, WHO, launched its 2025 Annual Assembly in Geneva on Monday, with member states set to formally adopt a groundbreaking International Pandemic Treaty aimed at preventing future global health emergencies.
The treaty, developed rapidly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeks to address failures in equitable access to medical supplies and vaccines during past crises. Its formal adoption is expected on Tuesday, though several complex issues—such as benefit-sharing from pathogen access—remain unresolved and will be tackled through an annex over the next year.
Delegates from all 194 WHO member nations are attending the assembly, which serves as the organization’s highest decision-making forum.
The WHO now faces a major financial setback following the United States’ decision to withdraw from the agency by early 2026, a move that would slash nearly 20% of its funding. In anticipation, the WHO has already begun implementing major cost-cutting measures, including staff downsizing.
Germany has pledged an extra €10 million (about \$11.2 million) to support the WHO and mitigate the effects of the impending U.S. withdrawal. The country had already contributed approximately €290 million across 2024 and 2025.
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