Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark Applaud Historic Pandemic Agreement

20 May 2025

Geneva: Today the Co-Chairs of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response applaud the adoption of an historic pandemic agreement by the World Health Assembly, calling it a crucial step towards a world safer from pandemic threats.

“This agreement, bound by principles of equity and solidarity, recognizes that even in uncertain times, the only way to prevent and mitigate the impact of pandemics is to work together, to protect everyone and leave no one behind,” said Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Co-Chair of The Independent Panel and former President of Liberia.

The pandemic agreement text addresses critical gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, sets the rules and lays a foundation for collaboration to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemic threats. 

"We congratulate WHO Member States for remaining steadfast through some three years of negotiating difficult but crucial provisions that should give all regions access to the tools they need to stop outbreaks before they become pandemics," said the Right Honourable Helen Clark, Co-Chair of The Independent Panel and former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

"Consider this agreement a foundation from which to build, starting today,” said Helen Clark. “Many gaps remain in finance, equitable access to medical countermeasures and in understanding evolving risks. Don’t wait to get started. Dangerous pathogens are looming, and they certainly will not wait."

Four years ago, following its review of the international response to WHO, The Independent Panel recommended that a Framework Convention be adopted under Article 19 of WHO’s Constitution, in order to fill gaps in pandemic preparedness and response. Given the grave inequities in access to vaccines and other medical countermeasures, The Independent Panel recommended the agreement include research and development and technology transfer, areas that remained contentious over the course of negotiations. 

The Co-Chairs note that language on these core provisions remains too narrow, and that pandemic prevention must include stopping outbreaks where and when they occur. This will require a public health, global commons-oriented approach to research and development and a measurable transfer of technology and knowledge to build regional self-reliance. 

The Co-Chairs urged a successful and efficient negotiation of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex, which is the next phase towards completion of the agreement.

“We want nothing more than to see this pandemic agreement open for signature following the World Health Assembly in 2026,” said Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. 

The Co-Chairs also recommend that Member States and donors ensure the funds required, including for the World Health Organization, to both pay for the process and preparations leading to a first Conference of the Parties, and to find ways to finance pandemic preparedness and response.

“Pandemic preparedness and response remain vastly underfunded. Countries, regions and the global system must urgently think differently, and think big about how to finance this crucial public good,” said Helen Clark.

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