Daily Mains Question - 9th June 2025

Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — designed to bridge the gap between current affairs and conceptual clarity, just the way UPSC tests in GS Papers. Today’s answer focuses on the recently approved Global Pandemic Treaty under the World Health Organisation (WHO) — a landmark agreement with potential implications for international health governance, equity in vaccine access, and global cooperation. Coming after more than three years of negotiations sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, this treaty is central to conversations on public health resilience, technology sharing, and the balance between national sovereignty and global solidarity.

With issues like vaccine nationalism, global health inequities, and preparedness for future pandemics gaining renewed attention in multilateral forums, UPSC may frame questions around the effectiveness and limitations of such international treaties. Use this answer to strengthen your preparation for GS Paper II (International Relations and Governance) and GS Paper III (Public Health and Science & Technology).

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QUESTION

The World Health Organisation’s approval of the global pandemic treaty is an important step towards worldwide health cooperation. Discuss the essential provisions of this treaty and critically evaluate the obstacles connected with its implementation.

(15 Marks, 250 Words)

Answer: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in global health governance and cooperation, leading to widespread loss of life and economic disruption. In response, member nations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) initiated negotiations to establish a legally binding instrument aimed at strengthening pandemic preparedness and response. After over three years of deliberations, a Global Pandemic Treaty was approved—only the second such binding treaty in the WHO’s 75-year history, following the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This treaty represents a milestone in global public health collaboration, although its implementation faces notable challenges.

Essential Provisions of the Global Pandemic Treaty:

1. Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System (PABS):

• Establishes a mechanism through which pharmaceutical companies gain access to crucial scientific data, including pathogen samples and genomic sequences.

• In return, these companies are obligated to ensure equitable distribution of medical countermeasures such as vaccines and diagnostics.

2. Equitable Distribution of Medical Products:

• Signatory pharmaceutical firms must allocate:

  • 10% of their pandemic-related production (vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics) to the WHO for distribution.

  • An additional 10% at affordable prices to support equitable global access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

3. Technology Transfer and Capacity Building:

• The treaty urges member states to facilitate or incentivize technology sharing and technical know-how with developing countries.

• This aims to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities for vaccines and pharmaceuticals, reducing dependency on external supplies.

4. Regulation of Publicly Funded Research:

National legislation must be enacted to ensure that publicly funded research (through universities or private firms) aligns with the goals of equitable and timely access to pandemic-related tools and treatments.

Challenges and Obstacles to Implementation:

1. Lack of Enforcement Authority:

• The treaty explicitly states that the WHO does not possess the authority to impose or enforce obligations such as travel bans, lockdowns, or vaccine mandates.

• This limitation significantly reduces the treaty’s power to ensure compliance during a health emergency.

2. Absence of Major Stakeholders: Notably, the United States abstained from adopting the treaty, raising concerns over the global coherence and effectiveness of implementation, given the country’s critical role in global health and pharmaceutical innovation.

3. Sovereignty Concerns:

• Many member states remain wary of ceding decision-making authority to an international body, especially during emergencies that require swift, national-level interventions.

• This may hinder the development of a coordinated and unified global response.

4. Inequities in Global Health Infrastructure: The treaty’s success hinges on robust national health systems. However, vast disparities in healthcare access, logistics, and manufacturing capabilities persist between developed and developing countries.

5. Private Sector Resistance: Pharmaceutical companies may resist provisions mandating technology transfer, data sharing, or low-cost distribution, citing intellectual property rights and financial viability.

The WHO’s Global Pandemic Treaty marks a historic step towards institutionalizing international health solidarity. Its focus on equity, transparency, and shared responsibility addresses key shortcomings revealed by the COVID-19 crisis. However, the treaty’s non-coercive framework, the reluctance of powerful nations, and implementation bottlenecks may dilute its effectiveness. Moving forward, strong political will, equitable investment in health systems, and global consensus on public health as a common good will be essential to ensure that the treaty achieves its intended objectives—preventing future pandemics from becoming global catastrophes.

Previous Daily UPSC Mains Question

• 7th June 2025 – GS 3

• 6th June 2025 – GS 2

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