On the 18th, the US government announced its refusal to accept the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics.
This also means that the US refuses to accept the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was reviewed and approved by the World Health Assembly and accompanies the amendments. The much-anticipated WHO Pandemic Agreement was reviewed and approved at the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 20th this year.
In 2024, WHO member states passed legally binding amendments to the International Health Regulations, introducing a new category of “pandemic emergency” to respond to the most severe and globally threatening health crises, aiming to strengthen global defense against novel pathogens.
In a joint statement, US Secretary of State Rubio and Health Secretary Robert Jr. pointed out that the amendments were drafted without sufficient public participation, expand WHO’s role in public health emergencies, grant WHO additional authority to issue pandemic declarations, and enhance the organization’s ability to promote “equitable access” to medical goods.
The statement indicated that the terminology in the 2024 amendments is vague and broad, potentially leading to a WHO-coordinated international response that focuses on unity and other political issues rather than swift and effective action.
The statement said that refusing the amendments to the International Health Regulations is to protect US sovereignty and prevent interference in the US’s authority to set health policy.
The process for the US to withdraw from the WHO requires 12 months. At this year’s May World Health Assembly, the US also did not participate in the review of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.