Geneva, Switzerland, 2025-09-20

A new era in global health governance has officially begun, as amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) formally entered into force today. The amendments, which were adopted by the World Health Assembly in June 2024, represent a renewed commitment by 196 nations to a more coordinated and equitable response to future public health emergencies. Shaped by the hard-earned lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes aim to improve information sharing, strengthen national capacities, and ensure a more rapid and fair global response to disease outbreaks.

Key Changes to the IHR

The updated regulations introduce several significant changes that directly address the weaknesses exposed during the last global pandemic. The amendments are designed to make the international health system more proactive and better prepared.

 * “Pandemic Emergency” Alert: A new, higher level of global alert has been established: a “pandemic emergency.” This new designation, which escalates beyond a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), will trigger stronger international collaboration and faster deployment of resources to combat a health risk that has already, or has a high risk of, becoming a pandemic.

 * National IHR Authorities: Governments are now required to establish National IHR Authorities to coordinate the implementation of the regulations at the national level. This aims to overcome the fragmented authority and weak coordination that hindered the response in many countries.

 * Strengthening Equity: The amended IHR includes provisions that aim to strengthen equitable access to medical products and financing. A Coordinating Financial Mechanism has also been established to help mobilize resources for low- and middle-income countries to build their public health capacities and respond to emergencies.

A Step Forward for Global Cooperation

The updated regulations are a testament to the global community’s resolve to prevent a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact. While the amendments are a legally binding framework, they do not give the World Health Organization (WHO) the power to impose lockdowns or other public health measures on a sovereign country. Instead, the WHO Director-General can issue non-binding recommendations to help guide a coordinated international response.

“The strengthening of the International Health Regulations represents a historic commitment to protect future generations from the devastating impact of epidemics and pandemics,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We know that no one is safe until everyone is safe.”

The new regulations now face the crucial test of implementation, as countries work to integrate the amendments into their national legal frameworks and strengthen their institutional capacities to build a safer and healthier future for all.