Health security Pandemic prevention and response – a task for the international community

The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the International Health Regulations (IHR) in 2005 with the aim of preventing, controlling and combating the spread of acute public health risks. In 2007, the IHR entered into force worldwide; they are legally binding for 196 countries.

The IHR apply to all incidents which present a public health risk. They regulate when and how outbreaks of diseases are reported to the WHO and what surveillance and response measures must be taken by the countries concerned. They also define the criteria for declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

In view of the numerous health crises in recent years (COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola epidemics, spread of mpox), the WHO member states decided in 2022 to revise the IHR. The amendments to the IHR were adopted in June 2024 at the World Health Assembly. One of the changes was the introduction of a new definition of a “pandemic emergency”. Another addition is the commitment to solidarity and equity, with the aim of strengthening access for developing countries in particular to medical products and financing for pandemic preparedness and response.

In future, countries are to receive more support for investigating disease outbreaks with unknown causes. In addition, the system used by the WHO to publish information about threats to public health is to be simplified. A newly established committee will ensure that the IHR are implemented more systematically.

In May 2025, the WHO member states reached agreement on an international Pandemic Agreement. This binding agreement under international law will enter into force once it has been ratified by at least 60 member states.

The Pandemic Agreement contains comprehensive regulations on pandemic prevention and response, and can thus serve as a guideline for the actions of member states before and during a pandemic. The Agreement defines measures to be taken by the international community in order to successfully avert or combat (imminent) pandemics.

The European Union is one of the initiators of the Agreement; Germany was actively involved in the negotiations.

Although the Agreement has been adopted, the negotiating process is not yet fully completed. One key component of the Agreement, the so-called Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, still needs to be negotiated in a separate annex. The intention is that, in the event of a pandemic, this system will ensure quick access to pathogens and their genetic information as well as more equitable distribution of pandemic products (diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines). The basic framework has already been set out in the Agreement. The necessary details for implementation must now be elaborated in a working group.

The member states have agreed to present the results of the annex negotiations at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2026. Once this PABS Annex has been adopted, the Agreement can be released for final signing and ratification by the member states.

• Pandemic Fund
  The BMZ has been actively involved in the Pandemic Fund since it was first established in 2022. The Pandemic Fund is meant to ensure that the international community is better prepared to deal with future outbreaks of infection, can detect them earlier and can respond to them faster and more effectively – so that, in a best-case scenario, they do not ever develop into pandemics.
• Production and fair distribution of vaccines
  In order to increase supply security, the BMZ is supporting the establishment of  regional vaccine and pharmaceuticals production in Africa. This involves, in particular, strengthening regulatory authorities, developing infrastructure and training skilled staff. The BMZ also supports Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
• Embedding the One Health approach
  Both in its cooperation with partner countries and in high-level international processes and negotiations, the BMZ advocates for taking into account the linkages between human, animal and ecosystem health. More information about the One Health approach in development cooperation can be found here.
• Rapid support
  The German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) assists partner countries in responding early to outbreaks of infectious diseases and preventing their spread.
• Using digital technology
  The BMZ promotes digital approaches for data-based early detection and real-time surveillance of infectious diseases. Digital technologies also help with managing all the tasks involved in a disease outbreak in a structured and effective way.
• Strengthening health systems
  The BMZ assists partner countries in building effective systems for universal healthcare, developing financing models and training health staff.

In 2022, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pandemic Fund (External link) was set up. Its aim is to close gaps in global pandemic preparedness. It is meant to offer countries and regions in the Global South financial incentives to improve laboratory equipment, develop and expand early warning and surveillance systems for infections, and train medical personnel. Duplication of structures is to be avoided: instead of creating its own programmes, the Pandemic Fund finances the additional costs that arise from including pandemic preparedness in the ongoing programmes of other organisations (e.g. WHO, FAO, World Bank, Gavi).

Germany is one of the founding members of the Pandemic Fund and its pledge of 169 million euros makes it the third-largest donor after the US and the European Union.

One important measure to improve supply security in Africa in the event of future pandemics is to develop vaccine and pharmaceuticals production in African countries. The African Union has set itself the ambitious goal that 60 per cent of the vaccines needed in Africa will be produced within Africa by 2040.

Germany is making a significant contribution towards achieving this goal. Since 2021, more than 700 million euros has been invested in various projects, especially in Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa. Besides the BMZ’s contributions, this amount also includes contributions from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The German contribution is part of the Team Europe Initiative “Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa” (MAV+ (External link)), which has a total volume of 1.9 billion euros.

Partnerships with the health industry are also essential here. The innovative strength of the German health industry is a valuable resource for Germany’s partner countries and there is much potential for even closer collaboration. In 2024, a new “brand” was launched, bringing together all of the BMZ’s programmes for cooperation with the private sector under one joint programme: Partners in Transformation.

The Round Table “Access to and Production of Health Technologies in Africa” is the forum of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for political dialogue with the German and the international health industry on questions relating to the production of and access to health products in Africa.

The Round Table connects companies with the BMZ and Germany’s implementing organisations. It shows where there are openings for broader technical and strategic cooperation in order to build partnerships. The Round Table was founded in 2021 against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its launch, it has met roughly twice a year, dedicating these meetings each time to a new focus topic such as skills development, research partnerships and regulatory frameworks.

Germany actively contributes towards improving global medical care and invites others to participate in the Round Table. Companies and business associations interested in participating can register under a2m@giz.de (External link) to receive an invitation to the next event.

Through the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG), Germany supports countries of the Global South in their efforts to improve preparedness for the outbreak of infectious diseases and to detect and contain them at an early stage.

Experts from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, the Robert Koch Institute and GIZ work together in SEEG teams, following a One Health approach. They train local health personnel, assist with procuring laboratory materials and advise governments on dealing with outbreaks of diseases and on implementing international health regulations.

Since it was founded, the SEEG has carried out 70 missions in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Central and South America (as at July 2025).