Today marks a significant development in worldwide health coordination as recent updates to the International Health Regulations (IHR) officially take effect. These revisions demonstrate a strengthened global effort to collaborate during health crises, shaped by the valuable experiences gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IHR are international guidelines that apply to 196 States Parties, including all 194 members of the World Health Organization (WHO). They outline responsibilities and entitlements of countries when addressing public health threats, emphasizing the necessity for joint international measures, as diseases can rapidly cross borders.

The foundation of the IHR dates back to the 1800s, when increased movement due to trade and travel enabled faster spread of contagious illnesses from one port to another. Initial responses involved local and regional agreements on quarantine practices. This cooperation became globalized in 1951 through the creation of the International Sanitary Regulations, soon after WHO’s establishment. These were eventually revised and renamed the International Health Regulations, evolving to meet modern global health challenges.

In 2024, during the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly in Geneva, WHO Member States unanimously adopted a new set of changes. These include a major addition: a new alert category called a “pandemic emergency.” This level indicates an elevated threat that surpasses a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), signaling that an outbreak may cause—or already has caused—a pandemic, significantly affecting health care systems and disrupting societies. Under the amendments, countries will also be required to establish National IHR Authorities to oversee implementation and improve equitable access to medical resources and funding.

The updates are a direct response to the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The last significant revision had occurred in 2005 after the SARS epidemic.

“Strengthening the International Health Regulations is a landmark step to better protect future generations from the broad impact of pandemics,” stated WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Global safety relies on collective safety. These amendments emphasize our joint responsibility to respond to health threats with unity and compassion.”

In addition to updating the IHR, Member States also approved the WHO Pandemic Agreement during this year’s World Health Assembly. Negotiations are ongoing for an annex focused on sharing pathogens and related benefits.

While countries maintain full sovereignty over national health laws, under the IHR, WHO plays an advisory role and cannot enforce measures on its member countries.

Out of the 196 parties to the IHR, eleven opted not to accept the 2024 amendments. These countries will continue to follow the previous version. However, they may reverse their decisions at any time. WHO stands ready to assist all States Parties in adopting the amendments and enhancing their national health structures to promote a safer and healthier global environment.

Note to editors

The full, updated text of the International Health Regulations, as amended in 2024, is available through official WHO channels. Versions in other official languages will be released shortly.