The 77th World Health Assembly has endorsed a set of amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) following the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated in an official announcement. The amendments target enhancing countries’ capacity to prepare for and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) and Pandemic Emergencies (PE). They include measures to facilitate fair access to relevant health products during PHEIC and PE, as well as to mobilize financial resources to support developing countries in establishing, reinforcing, and maintaining the core capacities mandated under the IHR (2005).
Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “with the revision of the IHRs, an incredible milestone has been reached.” He further remarked, “this is a further step towards equity and the creation of an umbrella of solidarity that will help protect the world from future pandemic threats. This is a gift to our children and grandchildren.”
The negotiation process for the amendments to IHR was initiated by the Working Group on International Health Regulations (WGIHR) and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the Pandemic Treaty, with country representatives, nearly two years ago. Despite facing several challenges and seeming deadlocks due to differing stakeholder positions, the processes eventually led to the finalization of the amendments.
To conclude the amendments to IHR, a proposal was presented in the form of a white paper by Apurva Chandra, Chair of Committee A of the World Health Assembly, on May 28, 2024. The proposal suggested establishing a single drafting group, co-chaired by a Bureau member from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and the WGIHR, to address critical agenda items: the proposed amendments to the IHR (2005), followed by procedural matters concerning the INB negotiations on the pandemic treaty. This proposal received unanimous approval from all member states.
The established single drafting group, in collaboration with the WHO secretariat and member state representatives, successfully achieved consensus on the ongoing IHR amendments during the 77th assembly session. India played a constructive role in shaping the instrument, which aims to promote equity and enable an equitable response by developing countries to public health emergencies.