Global Health Governance

Global health refers to those health matters that go beyond the borders and reach the global forces that affect the health and well-being of individuals and that require global actions that go beyond the boundaries and governance of national governments (1).

Global Health Governance (GHG) is defined as the way in which states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-state actors employ formal and informal structures, rules, and procedures in response to the challenges requiring global action (such as pandemics, health inequities, and the control of diseases) (2).

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role, especially with binding regulations such as International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, which was formed to build and strengthen capacities for pandemic prevention and preparation and response and ensure surge financing for needed response resources, especially in developing countries (3).

In response to these systemic gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the WHO Member States in May 2025 at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in resolution WHA78.1 to WHO’s Constitution for the purpose of enhancing pandemic prevention, preparation, and response in promotion of equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics (3). Persistent gaps remain in governance, equity, capacity, and accountability (4).

Despite this, the issue of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) remains critical in terms of available resources. Based on the analysis, the WHO Pandemic Agreement specifically addresses the aspect of cooperation and financing. But highlighted limited aspects of enforcement, technology transfer, and independent monitoring (4). Strengthening these dimensions of governance includes health equity, management of external threats, facilitation of global solidarity, and stewardship (2).

References:

1. Kickbusch, I. (2006). The need for a European Strategy on Global Health. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 34(6), 561–565. //doi.org/10.1080/14034940600973059
2. Kheir-Mataria, W. A. E., El-Fawal, H., Bhuiyan, S., & Chun, S. (2022). Global Health Governance and Health Equity in the Context of COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Healthcare, 10(3), 540. //doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10030540
3. item. (2025). Who.int. //www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/pandemic-prevention--preparedness-and-response-accord
4. //www.researchgate.net/publication/398237561_Global_Health_Governance_and_the_WHO_Pandemic_Agreement_A_Scoping_Review_of_Challenges_and_Analysis_of_Reforms