Amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR)

A historic result in global health policy: After two long years of intense negotiation, on 1 June 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) were adopted in Geneva. The over 190 States Parties to the IHR agreed on wide-ranging improvements. These afford people all around the world better protection from dangerous threats to public health.

The agreed amendments include introducing the new warning level of a pandemic emergency, enshrining the principle of solidarity and equity through increased cooperation between the Member States themselves as well as with the World Health Organization (WHO) and setting up a coordinating financial mechanism for more efficient use of funds to build up the core capacities needed for the IHR.

An implementation committee is being installed to track the regulations’ implementation. Above all, the implementation committee and the resulting obligation on the States Parties to place a stronger focus on implementing the IHR and better track these in future, strengthen the International Health Regulations. In addition, the decision algorithm for outbreak events is being modified so as to better detect and report unknown SARS-CoV outbreaks.  

Countries are better supported by WHO when investigating undetermined disease outbreaks and WHO’s publication of information on events that threaten public health is simplified. Furthermore, the amendment package includes provisions on possible recommendations by WHO on the availability and distribution of relevant healthcare products, the maintenance of essential supply chains as well as the travel possibilities by healthcare staff as well as numerous other changes, including the possibility of using digital proof in healthcare crises.

Nothing has changed with regard to the non-binding nature of the Director-General’s recommendations in case of a public health emergency of international concern. A country’s national sovereignty is not affected by these decisions.