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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 Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.