Global health recorded remarkable achievements in 2025 while also experiencing profound challenges. Multilateralism, science, and solidarity were tested as never before, underscoring a fundamental truth: international cooperation is not optional—it is essential to protect and promote health for everyone, everywhere, in 2026 and beyond.
Perhaps the most significant milestone was the adoption by WHO Member States of the Pandemic Agreement—a landmark step toward making the world safer from future pandemics. Alongside this, amendments to the International Health Regulations came into force, including a new “pandemic emergency” alert level designed to trigger stronger global cooperation. And to sustainably finance the WHO’s work, governments in a historic show of support increased their contributions to our core budget. Together, these measures demonstrate what multilateralism can deliver when countries choose collaboration over division.
Countries are now negotiating the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system of the Pandemic Agreement. This aims to ensure rapid sharing of pathogens and genetic sequence data, as well as equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. We hope this work will be completed by May, allowing the overall agreement to enter into force as international law.
Beyond pandemic preparedness, the WHO advanced public health on multiple fronts in 2025. We validated the safety and life-saving impact of vaccines; issued guidance on innovations such as injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention and GLP-1 therapies for obesity; responded to humanitarian crises from Gaza and Sudan to Ukraine; supported countries in achieving universal health coverage through locally tailored solutions and sustainable financing; and saw the UN General Assembly adopt a landmark political declaration to tackle noncommunicable diseases and mental health challenges—the deadliest and most widespread health threats of our era.
That is why WHO and its partners devoted sustained effort throughout 2025 to strengthening vaccine safety, effectiveness, and use, and committed to maintaining this as a priority in 2026. Immunisation remains one of the most powerful public-health interventions in history, saving millions of lives every year. Its impact is clear: global measles deaths have fallen by 88% since 2000; malaria vaccines are now being rolled out in 24 African countries; and 86 million girls have been vaccinated against human papillomavirus, helping prevent cervical cancer.
