WHO Welcomes US States to its Global Disease Outbreaks Network 12/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed the decision of the US states of California, Illinois, New York and New York City to join its Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). GOARN is a global network of public health institutions, governments, academic bodies and laboratories that helps to detect and control infectious disease outbreaks […] Continue reading -> Powerful WHO Members Hint at Delay in Pandemic Talks if No Legal Certainty on Pathogen Information 09/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Powerful member state blocs at the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed on Monday that they will not compromise on the final outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement simply to meet the May deadline. The Group of Equity and the WHO’s Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia regions stated that they wanted a Pathogen Access and […] Continue reading -> Tedros Expresses Confidence That Pandemic Talks Will Meet ‘Absolute Deadline’ 05/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan World Health Organization (WHO) Director General expressed confidence that member states would agree on the last outstanding part of the Pandemic Agreement by the “absolute deadline” of May at the body’s Executive Board meeting on Wednesday. “This year’s World Health Assembly [in May] must receive a text that member states can consider and act upon. […] Continue reading -> Geopolitical Risk is Undermining Global Pandemic Preparedness 27/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Global pandemic preparedness is becoming “increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk”, according to the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), which launched its Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission on Tuesday. IPPS is an independent entity that promotes the “100 Days Mission”, the global ambition to develop safe, effective […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Agreement on Hold: Can Countries Bridge the Divide on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing? 27/01/2026 Daniela Morich Only 12 more negotiating days remain until WHO member states hit the May 2026 deadline for an agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, as part of the new Pandemic Agreement adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The gap between developed and developing blocs of countries remains large, and progress […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Powerful WHO Members Hint at Delay in Pandemic Talks if No Legal Certainty on Pathogen Information 09/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Powerful member state blocs at the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed on Monday that they will not compromise on the final outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement simply to meet the May deadline. The Group of Equity and the WHO’s Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia regions stated that they wanted a Pathogen Access and […] Continue reading -> Tedros Expresses Confidence That Pandemic Talks Will Meet ‘Absolute Deadline’ 05/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan World Health Organization (WHO) Director General expressed confidence that member states would agree on the last outstanding part of the Pandemic Agreement by the “absolute deadline” of May at the body’s Executive Board meeting on Wednesday. “This year’s World Health Assembly [in May] must receive a text that member states can consider and act upon. […] Continue reading -> Geopolitical Risk is Undermining Global Pandemic Preparedness 27/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Global pandemic preparedness is becoming “increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk”, according to the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), which launched its Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission on Tuesday. IPPS is an independent entity that promotes the “100 Days Mission”, the global ambition to develop safe, effective […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Agreement on Hold: Can Countries Bridge the Divide on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing? 27/01/2026 Daniela Morich Only 12 more negotiating days remain until WHO member states hit the May 2026 deadline for an agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, as part of the new Pandemic Agreement adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The gap between developed and developing blocs of countries remains large, and progress […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Tedros Expresses Confidence That Pandemic Talks Will Meet ‘Absolute Deadline’ 05/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan World Health Organization (WHO) Director General expressed confidence that member states would agree on the last outstanding part of the Pandemic Agreement by the “absolute deadline” of May at the body’s Executive Board meeting on Wednesday. “This year’s World Health Assembly [in May] must receive a text that member states can consider and act upon. […] Continue reading -> Geopolitical Risk is Undermining Global Pandemic Preparedness 27/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Global pandemic preparedness is becoming “increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk”, according to the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), which launched its Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission on Tuesday. IPPS is an independent entity that promotes the “100 Days Mission”, the global ambition to develop safe, effective […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Agreement on Hold: Can Countries Bridge the Divide on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing? 27/01/2026 Daniela Morich Only 12 more negotiating days remain until WHO member states hit the May 2026 deadline for an agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, as part of the new Pandemic Agreement adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The gap between developed and developing blocs of countries remains large, and progress […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Geopolitical Risk is Undermining Global Pandemic Preparedness 27/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan Global pandemic preparedness is becoming “increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk”, according to the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), which launched its Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission on Tuesday. IPPS is an independent entity that promotes the “100 Days Mission”, the global ambition to develop safe, effective […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Agreement on Hold: Can Countries Bridge the Divide on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing? 27/01/2026 Daniela Morich Only 12 more negotiating days remain until WHO member states hit the May 2026 deadline for an agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, as part of the new Pandemic Agreement adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The gap between developed and developing blocs of countries remains large, and progress […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Pandemic Agreement on Hold: Can Countries Bridge the Divide on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing? 27/01/2026 Daniela Morich Only 12 more negotiating days remain until WHO member states hit the May 2026 deadline for an agreement on a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, as part of the new Pandemic Agreement adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The gap between developed and developing blocs of countries remains large, and progress […] Continue reading -> Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Stars and Stripes No Longer Flying at WHO – But US Can’t Really Leave Until Dues are Paid, Agency Says 23/01/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Member States Urged Not to Politicise Public Health as Pathogen Access Talks Resume 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system resumed in Geneva on Tuesday – with only two more weeks of formal negotiations left before the May deadline. Symbolically, this week’s talks resumed on the first anniversary of US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would […] Continue reading -> One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
One Year Later: The Effect of US ‘Chainsaw’ on Global Health 20/01/2026 Kerry Cullinan One year ago today (20 January), the Trump administration exploded the global health sector by immediately “pausing” all aid for 90 days – and dispensing with 83% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects six weeks later. Trillionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “chainsawed” at USAID projects and contracts, folding […] Continue reading -> Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Two More WHO Officials Cut from Senior Leadership Team Move into Other Roles 16/12/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Two more senior WHO officials, Bruce Aylward and Ailan Li, who were among those dropped from WHO’s Senior Leadership Team during the first phase of an Agency shake-up, have now been appointed to leading roles elsewhere in the organisation, according to a memo from Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Li, a Chinese national and […] Continue reading -> Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Africa is Stuck Between Global Pathogen-Sharing Talks and Conflicting US Bilateral Agreements 01/12/2025 Kerry Cullinan African countries affirmed their commitment to a global agreement to share information about pathogens that may cause pandemics on Monday – yet several of these countries are also in talks with the United States to conclude conflicting bilateral deals on pathogen access in exchange for the resumption of US health aid. The onerous US demands […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts