The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing amendments to the 2005 International Health Regulations, which “provide an overarching legal framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.” This legally binding international agreement would give the WHO unprecedented power over national-level governments – and override national sovereignty.
The proposed amendments will also transfer the management of every state’s public health response during anything the WHO deems a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). If adopted, the amendment(s) would surrender future U.S. and global public health emergency authority to the WHO Director-General (D-G).