What happened
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava represented India at the UN High-Level Meeting on 'Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response' (PPPR) at UN Headquarters, New York, on 25 September 2026. She said the lessons of COVID-19 must turn into sustained investment, institutional capacity and resilient health systems, and that these efforts should be rooted in national health systems and domestic financing.
She called for digital public infrastructure to be recognised as a global public good. She said the credibility of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted in May 2025, depends on a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. She also said the meeting's political declaration should not prejudge the ongoing PABS annex negotiations.
Background
India supplied 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities during COVID-19, and sent medical help to more than 150 countries. Srivastava linked this to the principle of 'One Earth, One Health'. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted progress since COVID-19, including the Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), and urged quick completion of the PABS talks.
Why it matters for exams
Global health governance (WHO Pandemic Agreement, IHR, One Health, PABS) is a favourite UPSC GS-II topic and appears in SSC and state PSC GA. India's COVID vaccine diplomacy figures are standard facts.
Key facts for exams
- WHO Pandemic Agreement: adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025
- PABS: Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, whose annex is still under negotiation
- WHO: founded 7 April 1948 (World Health Day); HQ Geneva; DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Union Health Secretary: Punya Salila Srivastava
- India's COVID aid: 300 million doses to about 100 countries (Vaccine Maitri)
- IHR: International Health Regulations (2005), amended after COVID-19
Practice MCQs
Who represented India at the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on 25 September 2026?
(A) J.P. Nadda
(B) Punya Salila Srivastava
(C) S. Jaishankar
(D) V.K. PaulAnswer: (B) – Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava represented India.
In the context of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, what does 'PABS' stand for?
(A) Pandemic Alert and Biosafety System
(B) Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing
(C) Public Access to Biomedical Supplies
(D) Preparedness and Biosecurity StandardsAnswer: (B) – PABS means Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing.
According to India's statement, how many vaccine doses did India supply during COVID-19?
(A) 100 million
(B) 200 million
(C) 300 million
(D) 500 millionAnswer: (C) – About 300 million doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities.
Source: PIB Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, 26 Sep 2026