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FIND Celebrates History-Making Achievement by WHO Member States Following Consensus on a proposed Pandemic Accord

Geneva, Switzerland - 16/04/2025.

In the early hours of Wednesday of 16 April, WHO member states working with the WHO Secretariat and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) reached consensus over a draft agreement for the proposed Pandemic Accord, which Member States will now consider for adoption at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May. The INB is co-chaired by our own FIND Board Member, Ms. Precious Matsoso.

A key area of discussion has been around the distribution of diagnostics, treatments and medicines. FIND agrees with the stipulation in the agreement that WHO will get 20% of real-time production of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics (VTDs) for the pathogen causing the pandemic.

Importantly the agreement stipulates that 10% of production will be via a donation and that WHO will distribute the tests, treatments and vaccines to low- and middle-income countries based on need. FIND is also pleased to support the realisation of this ambition.

“We’re incredibly proud of FIND Board Member and INB Co-Chair Ms Matsoso for her commitment and steady leadership building consensus around the proposed Pandemic Accord,” said Board Chair Dr Ayoade Alakija. “At a time of immense geopolitical turbulence, where lives are being lost as harsh cuts to aid are implemented overnight, the progress on the pandemic agreement reflects that the world can still come together to plot out a positive path to progress. I call on all leaders to adopt the accord at the upcoming World Health Assembly next month.”

“Diagnostics are critical to identifying disease outbreaks and paving the way for treatments and vaccines to be used to control and stop them before they turn into pandemics,” said Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, FIND CEO. “When adopted at the 2025 World Health Assembly (WHA78), this Accord will bring much needed impetus to global and national plans and investments for pandemic preparedness, readiness, response and recovery.”

The WHA starts on 19 May and FIND will continue to call on all countries to adopt the Pandemic Accord.

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Beatrice Bernescut
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About FIND

FIND accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with countries, WHO and other global health agencies, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation. For more information, please visit www.finddx.org.