WHO Rules the World?

Commentary Who indeed rules the world? In a world grappling with unprecedented health challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) is ambitiously seeking to broaden its influence and financial resources. At the heart of this initiative are significant revisions to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the introduction of a new Pandemic Treaty. Aimed at enhancing global health security, these reforms have sparked a debate about the balance between international cooperation and national sovereignty in public health. The WHO’s plans, initially scheduled for completion by 2023, have encountered delays leading to a late January appeal by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He called on member states to compromise, emphasising the urgency of finalising the negotiation process....