Why we still need a pandemic treaty

Abstract

At the World Health Assembly in May, 2022, 194 member states debated amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the current global framework for preparing for and responding to health emergencies. Despite meeting fully in person for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the member states made little progress in proposing solutions for what will be different for the next pandemic. The discussions were consumed by procedural questions, with few proposals for substantive change.