**U.S. Stands Apart as WHO Passes Landmark Global Pandemic Agreement**

In a significant milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a landmark global pandemic agreement after three years of intensive negotiations. The agreement, which was overwhelmingly approved with 124 votes in favor and 11 abstentions, aims to streamline international cooperation in future health crises. Despite the broad support from the global community, the United States was notably absent from the proceedings.

The notable absence of the U.S. delegation stems from President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the country from the organization on his Inauguration Day, citing alleged mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic and undue political influence within the WHO. Consequently, the United States, traditionally the largest single donor to the WHO, chose not to participate in the vote.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other global leaders hailed the newly adopted accords, emphasizing the shared commitment to ensuring that "no one is left behind" in future pandemics. The WHO Pandemic Agreement includes robust measures to enhance international coordination on pandemic preparedness and response, urging member states to strengthen their regulatory, research, and domestic health systems. The accord also promotes equitable access to health products and tools, and encourages the sharing of skills among nations.

A standout feature of the agreement is the process to negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS). This mechanism is designed to facilitate the sharing of genetic information about dangerous pathogens with pandemic potential, bolstering global readiness to tackle emergent health threats.

The principles underlying the agreement are centered on equity, solidarity, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in the context of health emergencies. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lauded the agreement as a triumph for public health, science, and multilateral action, emphasizing its potential to better safeguard the world from future pandemics.

However, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offered a starkly different perspective. In prerecorded remarks aired at the WHO assembly, Kennedy criticized the agreement, calling for a complete overhaul of the WHO system. He contended that the organization had not sufficiently addressed its failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the new agreement would perpetuate existing dysfunctions.

Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism, has focused his agenda on overhauling federal regulations on food and pharmaceuticals, mirroring former President Trump's critical stance on international health organizations. He urged other countries to consider joining the United States in forging a new path of cooperation outside the framework of what he described as a "moribund WHO."

Despite the criticism, supporters and public health experts defend the WHO's efforts during the pandemic and warn that the U.S. withdrawal could negatively impact its global operations, including responding to outbreaks and achieving long-term health objectives such as malaria eradication.