The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established by the World Health Assembly in December 2021, at its second-ever special session, to bring countries together to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the WHO Constitution to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Over the course of more than three years, the INB convened Member States, engaged with stakeholders across sectors, and facilitated public consultations to ensure transparency and broad input. Through multiple rounds of negotiations, the INB worked to build consensus on key issues such as equitable access to medical countermeasures, improved international coordination, and stronger national health systems.

The conclusion of the INB process marks a significant milestone in global health governance – WHO Member States reached consensus on the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, formally adopted during the Seventy-eight World Health Assembly in May 2025. This landmark agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening international coordination, ensuring equitable access to essential health tools, and building a more resilient global health system to better prevent and respond to future pandemics.

A global accord on pandemic preparedness and response