WHO Calls for Urgent Completion of Pandemic Treaty Amid Ebola Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to finalize an international pandemic treaty, especially in light of the ongoing Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made this call on November 1, 2020, during a meeting in Geneva.

Tedros pointed out that recent outbreaks, including the current Ebola epidemic, highlight the importance of global cooperation in handling pandemics. He stated that a pathogen threat in one part of the world can quickly become a threat everywhere.

Since May, the DRC has faced a severe Ebola outbreak, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported among over 10,000 infections. The WHO chief stressed that the world must learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed that no country can protect itself alone.

Countries agreed to a Pandemic Agreement in May 2025, but they have yet to resolve key operational issues. One critical aspect is the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, which deals with sharing access to dangerous pathogens and the benefits from vaccines and treatments.

Tedros noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries struggled to secure enough vaccines, leading to inequities that cost lives and prolonged the crisis. He believes that completing the pandemic treaty is essential for a safer future.