The ‘Pandemic Agreement’: What it is, What it isn’t, and What it Could Mean for the U.S.

(By Josh Michaud, Jennifer Kates, and Anna Rouw for The Kaiser Family Foundation Published: Apr 01, 2024)

Countries are nearing the end of negotiations on a new international ‘pandemic agreement’ (also referred to as a ‘pandemic accord’ or ‘pandemic treaty’). For more than two years, representatives from member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have held a series of meetings to draft this new agreement, with a vote on the final text expected in May 2024 during this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The Biden administration has supported the concept of an agreement, and has been engaged in negotiations since the process launched. At the same time, several issues have been raised by U.S. policymakers and others, including whether and how the U.S. should ultimately choose to become a party to the agreement. A delay in reaching an agreement could bump the negotiations closer to or beyond the U.S. Presidential election in November, which could have significant implications for U.S. participation. If President Trump were to be elected, for example, it is unclear if he would support an agreement, given his criticism of WHO and his move to withdraw from the organization when he was President, as well as his overall “America First” approach to international engagement. Continue reading here…

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