Member States of the WHO agreed, through Executive Board Decision 150(3) (2022) and World Health Assembly Decision WHA75(9) (2022) to embark on a process to amend the current International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). The process builds on lessons learned from the various review panels that examined the functioning of the IHR and the global health security architecture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The process is being led by the Member States of the WHO through Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR).

The process of amending the IHR runs in parallel with another Member States-led process - Intergovernmental Negotiation Body (INB) - established by WHO Member States at a special session of the World Health Assembly in December 2021, to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument (commonly known as the Pandemic Accord).

In the context of the WGIHR, the 196 States Parties to the IHR (including the 194 WHO Member States) are considering more than 300 proposed amendments to 33 of the 66 articles of the IHR and 5 of its 9 annexes, plus 6 new articles and 2 new annexes.

Pursuant to decision WHA75(9), and taking into consideration the report of the Review Committee regarding amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), the WGIHR will propose a package of amendments for consideration by the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, 2024.

The Working Group is open to all WHO Member States and is working in an inclusive manner, conducting its business on the basis of consensus, and in line with the Rules of Procedure of the World Health Assembly.