WHO Chief Warns of Imminent Pandemic Threat

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), issued a stark warning on April 10, 2025, stating that the next global pandemic is inevitable, possibly arriving as soon as tomorrow. This proclamation, made during a WHO meeting in Switzerland, highlights the pressing need for nations to prioritize pandemic preparedness in light of past crises, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, which officially claimed 7 million lives and had economic impacts costing $10 trillion. Dr. Ghebreyesus criticized governments for neglecting pandemic threats while they grapple with economic and geopolitical challenges. He stressed that the next outbreak could emerge without warning, regardless of ongoing global issues. To combat future pandemics effectively, Dr. Ghebreyesus advocated for a legally binding international agreement that would ensure collaborative preparedness and equitable access to resources for all countries. He urged United Nations member states to finalize this comprehensive agreement, emphasizing the importance of learning lessons from COVID-19 and enhancing global health security.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that future pandemics are "not a theoretical risk but an epidemiological certainty." Speaking at a recent WHO meeting, he emphasized that the next global health crisis could occur imminently or within the next two decades, stressing the importance of preparedness. Ghebreyesus pointed out the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has officially claimed over 7 million lives, though estimates suggest the true toll may be as high as 20 million. He also highlighted the economic implications, stating that the pandemic resulted in losses exceeding $10 trillion globally. During the discussions, he advocated for the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which aims to bolster international cooperation without undermining member states' sovereignty. "The agreement will strengthen national sovereignty and enhance global action," he noted, hoping for consensus among nations to advance the initiative. Preparedness, according to Ghebreyesus, is crucial as the world continues to navigate the aftermath of COVID-19.

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent tariff proposals are threatening to plunge the World Trade Organization (WTO) into its most significant crisis since its inception in 1995, according to experts Jannik Belser and Benjamin Triebe. The Trump administration's plans to reassess all U.S. trade relations aim to counter perceived unfair practices with reciprocal tariffs, potentially undermining the multilateral trade framework established by 166 member countries. Experts warn that Trump's approach contradicts the WTO’s foundational principles, which promote non-discrimination and dispute resolution among members. The WTO was created to facilitate free trade and has struggled with internal dysfunctions for years. Its dispute resolution mechanism has been incapacitated due to U.S. blockades against appointing new judges, rendering the organization less effective, stated economist Ralph Ossa. Professor Joost Pauwelyn cautioned that Trump's tactics could trigger a domino effect that dismantles established multilateral trade regulations, leaving smaller nations particularly vulnerable. As tensions escalate, the future of the WTO and global trade stability hangs in the balance.