On December 1, 2021, members of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to begin the process of drafting and negotiating a convention, agreement, or another international instrument under the World Health Organization Constitution to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and preparedness response to pandemics.
The proposal for an international agreement on pandemics was first announced by European Council President Charles Michel at the Paris Peace Forum in November 2020. This call for an international deal on pandemics was also highlighted by the G7 leaders in their declaration of February 19, 2021.
At the European Council on February 25, 2021, EU leaders underlined the need for a global multilateral Working together to address current and emerging health threats and agreed to work on an international agreement on pandemics within the framework of WHO.