International Health Regulations (2005)

Since 15 June 2007, the world has been implementing the International Health Regulations (2005). This legally-binding agreement significantly contributes to international public health security by providing a new framework for the coordination of the management of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concerns, and will improve the capacity of all countries to detect, assess, notify and respond to public health threats. In May 2006, resolution WHA59.2 called for early voluntary compliance by WHO Member States with IHR (2005) provisions relevant to the risk posed by avian and human pandemic influenza. Addressing the current pandemic threat through the IHR (2005), is one of the important focuses for activity as countries and WHO tackle the considerable challenge of implementing this multi-faceted global agreement with the aim of building a more secure future.