The World Desperately Needs a New Pandemic Treaty
Scientific AmericanJUN 2024
WHO Members Forge Historic Global Pandemic Agreement
Above: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus smiling after a consensus on the Pandemic Agreement at the WHO headquarters, on April 16, 2025. Image copyright: Christopher Black/World Health Organization/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The global pandemic treaty stands at a critical juncture, promising to transform how humanity confronts future outbreaks through shared science and equitable distribution of medical resources. With zoonotic diseases causing billions of illnesses annually, this agreement would establish a collaborative framework that transcends borders—ensuring no nation fights alone. Its adoption would represent not just a victory for global health, but for multilateralism when needed most.
Cynical narrative
This treaty faces a fundamental contradiction: it champions globalist ideals of solidarity and equity while ignoring the stubborn reality of statist self-interest demonstrated throughout COVID-19. Nations consistently prioritized their own security over collective wellbeing, hoarding vaccines and disregarding WHO guidance. No treaty can bridge this divide—states simply won't surrender sovereignty when crises strike, rendering such an agreement little more than diplomatic theater.