WHO’s Historic Agreement: A Major Step Towards Global Pandemic Preparedness

by News Editor

April 18, 2025

In a groundbreaking move, members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have reached a historic, legally binding agreement aimed at preparing the world for future pandemics. This pact, designed to address the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, sets the stage for a more equitable global response to health emergencies, particularly in the distribution of essential drugs, vaccines, and medical technologies.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in global health governance, especially at a time when multilateral institutions like the WHO are facing considerable financial strain. The United States, which was once the WHO’s largest financial contributor, withdrew from negotiations after President Donald Trump initiated the U.S.’s departure from the organization. Despite this setback, the deal underscores a strong commitment from member states to work together on global health security, with or without U.S. involvement. “This is a historic moment,” said Nina Schwalbe, founder of global health think tank Spark Street Advisors. “It demonstrates that countries are committed to multilateralism and to collective action.”

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This agreement, the second of its kind in WHO’s 75-year history (the first being a tobacco control treaty in 2003), focuses on structural inequalities in how pandemic-related health tools are developed and distributed. Article nine of the deal ensures that future pandemic-related drugs, therapeutics, and vaccines will be made globally accessible. It also gives the WHO stronger oversight over medical supply chains and paves the way for local production of vaccines during health crises.

A key challenge in the negotiations was the issue of technology transfer—sharing the knowledge and manufacturing capabilities necessary for lower-income countries to produce their vaccines and treatments. To address this, the agreement mandates that manufacturers allocate at least 20% of their real-time production to the WHO during a pandemic, with a minimum of 10% designated for donation and the rest priced affordably for developing nations.

The deal is not yet finalized, as it must be adopted at the WHO Assembly in May, and some details, such as the annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, still require further negotiation. However, once ratified, the agreement will bolster global preparedness, enabling quicker responses to future pandemics and more equitable access to life-saving resources.

As health experts emphasize, the global community must invest in preparedness now to avoid the costly toll of another pandemic. “We can’t afford another pandemic, but we can afford to prevent one,” said Helen Clark, co-chair of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness. This agreement represents a critical step toward ensuring that the world is better equipped to face future health crises with solidarity, transparency, and a commitment to equity.

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Cyprus Tax Reform Ushers In Revised Deductions And Elevated Penalties

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 12, 2026

Effective January 1, Cyprus has implemented significant changes to its tax legislation. The reform adjusts rates and deductions and imposes substantially higher penalties, signaling a robust commitment to boosting compliance and deterring evasion.

Enhanced Deterrence Measures

The revised framework significantly raises administrative fines across a wide range of activities. One of the most notable changes concerns the obligation to accept credit card payments. The penalty for non-compliance has increased to €6,000, up from €4,000 previously and €2,000 when the requirement was first introduced in 2021. The rule applies across retail, services, hospitality, and leisure sectors and forms part of broader efforts to limit undeclared transactions and protect public revenue.

Adjustments To Reporting And Submission Deadlines

Penalties for failures related to tax filings and data submissions have also been tightened. The daily fine for a continuing violation has risen from €17 to €20, while the penalty for unjustifiably omitting income from a tax return now reaches €5,000, compared with €2,000 under the previous regime. Non-compliance with invoicing and receipt requirements is subject to the same ceiling, replacing the earlier fine of €450. These measures reinforce stricter expectations around accurate reporting and documentation.

Graduated Consequences For Late Payments And Serious Breaches

A tiered penalty system now applies to late submissions. Individuals face a fine of €150, small companies with a turnover below €1 million are charged €250, and larger businesses incur a fine of €500. If deadlines set by the tax commissioner are missed, the penalties escalate further to €300, €500, or €1,000, respectively. No fine is imposed, however, when an official extension is granted, and returns along with self-assessed taxes are filed within the approved timeframe, typically by July 31 or January 31.

Strict Penalties For Serious Tax Offenses

The reform also strengthens sanctions for more serious violations. Where business premises are sealed due to breaches such as failure to issue lawful receipts or outstanding tax debts, any attempt to tamper with the seal constitutes a criminal offense. Such actions may result in fines of up to €30,000 and imprisonment of up to two years. In cases of unpaid taxes, company executives, board members, or financial officers may also be held personally liable.

Penalties linked to the extraordinary defence contribution have been significantly increased. A first conviction may lead to a fine of up to €5,000, together with payment of up to double the amount owed. A second conviction carries far heavier consequences, including fines of up to €100,000, imprisonment of up to two years, and payment of up to four times the original contribution. Offences related to defence procurement or associated financial benefits are punishable by fines of up to €30,000, rising to €100,000 when a public official or person acting on behalf of the Republic is involved.

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