New pandemic inevitable, WHO chief asserts

Another pandemic is certain to occur sooner or later, and it is not just a “theoretical risk” but an “epidemiological certainty,” according to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Speaking at the opening of the resumed Thirteenth Meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, Ghebreyesus highlighted the serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, warning that the next outbreak could happen at any time. “The next pandemic will not wait until things calm down,” he said, adding that it could emerge in 20 years—or tomorrow. “But it will happen, and either way, we must be ready.”

The WHO chief reflected on the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that while official reports stated 7 million deaths, the true toll is estimated to be around 20 million. He also pointed out the immense economic loss, with the pandemic wiping out more than US $10 trillion globally.

Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that a consensus could be reached during ongoing discussions on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, emphasizing that such an agreement would not infringe on any nation’s sovereignty. Instead, he argued, it would strengthen both national sovereignty and international cooperation.

The 77th World Health Assembly, scheduled for May 27 to June 1, 2024, will focus on amending the International Health Regulations and continuing negotiations on the pandemic agreement. The public health emergency due to COVID-19 officially ended on May 5, 2023. As of March 23, 2025, the WHO reports over 777 million COVID-19 infections and 7.09 million deaths worldwide.