To improve the health and wellbeing of all people worldwide, global health reforms are underway with the aim of:

• strengthening international prevention, preparation for and responses to pandemics
• strengthening the global health system
• improving global health.

To deliver on these global health reforms, Australia is working closely with the global health community, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to advocate for international rules, norms, and standards in the interest of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians and people in our region. We know certain health threats, such as disease outbreaks, do not respect international borders. International cooperation, guided by international rules, norms and standards, is critical for Australia to be able to monitor and respond to these challenges.

Australia is committed to strengthening the global health system to prevent, prepare for and respond to future health emergencies, including pandemics, by building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been engaging in two complementary processes to strengthen the legal framework for global health emergency and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response under the auspices of the WHO:

• a new international pandemic agreement
• targeted changes to the existing International Health Regulations (2005).

International agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

In December 2021, the WHO set up an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft a new international instrument or treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (the WHO Pandemic Agreement).

On 20 May 2025, following over three years of negotiations, the 78th World Health Assembly adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The WHO Pandemic Agreement, and the Assembly's decision to adopt the agreement, are available on the WHO website.

The WHO Pandemic Agreement establishes new international norms and mechanisms to strengthen international cooperation for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response that will, for example:

• improve access to vaccines and other pandemic-related health products to prevent and respond to pandemics
• strengthen multi-sectoral disease surveillance, including by integrating a One Health approach for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
• enhance health system resilience to better position countries to prepare for and respond to future pandemics
• strengthen cooperation on research and development including the production of pandemic-related health products.

While the WHO Pandemic Agreement has been adopted by the World Health Assembly, steps remain to finalise the technical and operational details of a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) System, to be included as an annex to the Agreement. The WHO Pandemic Agreement will not enter into force until the PABS Annex has been adopted.

Negotiations on the PABS Annex are WHO Member State-led and commenced in July 2025 under a new Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). WHO Member States have agreed to report to the 79th World Health Assembly in May 2026 on the outcome of PABS Annex negotiations.

Australia will engage in these negotiations to advance our interests and ensure the PABS System helps the international community better prepare for and respond to future pandemics. Details of Australia's goals and priorities are available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's website.

Changes to the International Health Regulations

The International Health Regulations (IHR):

• help protect the health of the global community
• support prompt responses to health emergencies that could impact countries, including Australia.

On 1 June 2024, at the 77th World Health Assembly, WHO Member States, including Australia, agreed a package of targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005). The agreed IHR amendments are available on the WHO website. The changes will:

• build capacity of each country to prepare for, and respond to health emergencies
• strengthen public health response measures, including equitable access to health products needed to respond to global public health emergencies
• strengthen information sharing and early responses to disease outbreaks
• strengthen countries' implementation of the IHR.

The Australian Government tabled the IHR amendments in Parliament for scrutiny by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT). The IHR amendments will enter into force on 19 September 2025, 12 months after the WHO formally notified Member States, including Australia, of the amendments. For more information, see treaty-making process in Australia.

For more information on global health reform, see the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's website on Strengthening global health and international pandemic response.