Efforts to finalize a global pandemic treaty to prevent another COVID-19-style crisis have hit a deadlock, leaving little hope that the agreement will be completed by the May 2025 deadline.
After three years of discussions, countries involved in the negotiations have made limited progress. The most recent round of talks, which concluded this month, revealed ongoing disagreements on key aspects of the treaty. These include pandemic prevention measures and the creation of a system for sharing pathogen information and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medicines.
The treaty, first proposed in 2020 by European leaders, was designed to address gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around global cooperation and equitable access to healthcare resources. One of its main goals was to reduce inequalities between wealthier nations and developing countries by ensuring that vaccines and treatments would be available to all, regardless of income.
“A pandemic knows no borders, so international collaboration is a must,” said Jaume Vidal, senior policy advisor at Health Action International. However, the treaty’s negotiations have been hindered by diverging priorities. Developed countries push for stronger disease surveillance and preparedness in the global south, while developing nations are concerned about the financial burden and demand greater access to the benefits of shared information.
More than 190 countries are involved in the talks, which are facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The treaty was originally scheduled for completion by May 2024, but this was postponed to May 2025 due to the lack of agreement on critical issues.
Europe has advocated for stronger prevention measures, requiring developing nations to enhance their health systems. However, many African countries have expressed concerns about the costs of implementing such measures, fearing they could place additional burdens on already strained resources. Additionally, these countries seek priority access to vaccines and treatments developed from the pathogen data they provide, a point that has sparked tension with wealthier nations with large pharmaceutical industries.
Civil society groups have criticized the process, with some warning that lower-income countries are being pressured into accepting watered-down provisions. “Developing countries are hesitant because they lack the resources to meet prevention obligations,” said Piotr Kolczynski, Oxfam International’s health policy advisor. “They’re also frustrated by the lack of flexibility from rich countries on other matters.”
With the deadline fast approaching, informal talks are expected in early 2025, but negotiators caution that the formal discussions scheduled for later that year may not be enough to resolve the deadlock.
The uncertainty is further compounded by political factors, including the possibility of a return to power by former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration was critical of the WHO. His reelection could stall the process or push for further dilution of the treaty’s provisions.
As the political momentum for the treaty fades, some experts worry that the longer negotiations drag on, the less likely it will be that a strong, effective treaty will emerge.
