With the successful conclusion of negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the international community has taken a decisive step toward a stronger global health architecture.
With only five official negotiation days left before the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May—where the agreement is set to be adopted—delegations are under immense time pressure.
Freedom, justice and solidarity are the basic principles underlying the work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The KAS is a political foundation, closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).
Multipod: WHO macht Fortschritte bei internationalen Gesundheitsvorschriften
Die Covid-Pandemie hat auch auf internationaler Ebene Folgen. Erfahren Sie, wie die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) und ihre Mitgliedstaaten sich besser für die Zukunft wappnen.
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Statement
Norbert Lammert on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
"Human rights are not laws of nature. [...], they must be protected & defended by people who take the claim to the inviolability of human dignity seriously".
Multipod: Review of Germany in the UPR
Multipod: Human rights protection starts at home. Germany in the UPR
On 9th November 2023, the United Nation's Human Rights Council discussed the human rights situation in Germany
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Genfreise
Geneva Security Debate zum Krieg in der Ukraine
Prof. Dr. Lammert, Botschafter Dr. Heusgen und Botschafter Greminger zu den Auswirkungen des Krieges in der Ukraine auf den Multilateralismus und die Weltordnung
Delegationsreise
Dialogprogramm des Arbeitskreises Globale Gesundheit der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Genf
Erfahren Sie mehr über die Delegationsreise zu aktuellen Herausforderungen im Bereich Globale Gesundheit vom 7-9. Juni
U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers / flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
The 78th World Health Assembly of the WHO 2025
Global Health at the Crossroads of Reform and Rivalry
Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
June 13, 2025
Country reports
U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers / flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
The Pandemic Agreement
Opening a Window to Global Cooperation
Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
April 30, 2025
Geneva Telegram
U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers / flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
Die Bedeutung des WHO-Pandemieabkommens für wirtschaftliche Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz in Deuts...
Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
March 27, 2025
Country reports
U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers / flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
Geneva Telegram on the 13th meeting of the INB - A crucial moment for the pandemic response
The "Geneva Telegram" deals with events in Geneva's multilateral organizations on a current topic, this time the 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the Pandem...
Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
February 24, 2025
Geneva Telegram
UN Human Rights Recommendations Related to Persons with Disabilities: Implementation and Impact
Policy Dialogue Ahead of the Global Disability Summit 2025
The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) took place against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions and challenges—evident, for instance, in the conspicuous absence of the United States and the ongoing dispute over Taiwan’s status within the organisation. Despite unfavourable circumstances, key health policy initiatives with the potential to benefit future generations were adopted or reaffirmed. These include a multilateral pandemic agreement, the next steps in reforming the International Health Regulations (IHR), and—recognizing the signs of the times—a global climate action plan. Further, new health priorities were incorporated into the WHO agenda, signalling that while global cooperation remains arduous, it can, under pressure, yield essential results.
Sarah Ultes, Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
May 31, 2025
Map of the Month
Vote on resolution on negative impact of illicit financial flows during 58th UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 05/2025
During the 58th UN Human Rights Council, a resolution on the negative impact of illicit financial flows tabled by Ghana on behalf of the African Group was adopted following a vote. Among other things, the resolution refers to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), according to which an estimated USD 88.6 billion, or around 3.7% of Africa's GDP, leaves the continent each year as illicit capital flight. Accordingly, the resolution requests the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office (OHCHR) to organise various expert meetings and requests to prepare a substantive report on the issue. The states that voted against the text cited, among other things, possible duplication with the efforts of other entities and instruments, a weak operational link to the promotion of human rights or to the root causes of corruption. The topic is also becoming increasingly important in light of shrinking budgets for official development assistance (ODA) and ongoing debates on the future of financing for development like the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FdD4) in Sevilla (Spain) at the end of June 2025.
Sarah Ultes
May 12, 2025
Map of the Month
US Executive Order to Rectify Trade Practices (‘Reciprocal Tariffs‘)
Map of the Month 04/2025
As the Trump Administration seeks to rectify goods trade deficits of the US, US President Donald Trump signed the Executive Order ‘Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits’ on April 2nd. The Executive Order is partly based on the ‘International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)’ from 1977. IEEPA authorizes the president of the US to regulate international commerce in light of a national emergency and in response to extraordinary threats to the United States. The signing of the Executive Order had been advertised as “Liberation Day”. During the presentation President Trump presented ‘reciprocal tariffs’ for 185 countries and territories. The Executive Order lists 57 countries and territories which will be submitted to tariffs on imports into the US ranging from 11%-50% in addition to already existing tariffs (“additional ad valorem duty on all imports”). This provision will be valid from April 9th. All other countries and territories have been submitted to a baseline additional tariff of 10% since April 5th. Only a few countries and goods (i.e. steel, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors) are exempted from these import tariffs.
Cedric Amon
April 9, 2025
Map of the Month
Key votes during the 58th UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 03/2025
During the 58th UN Human Rights Council, which was held in Geneva from February 24 to April 4, a total of 32 texts were adopted, 20 of them by consensus and 12 after a vote. For the first time since 2011, for example, the Commission of Inquiry on Syria was extended by consensus. Resolutions on Myanmar, Mali, Haiti, North Korea, the role of women in diplomacy, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment with a particular focus on the oceans, on landmines or the establishment of an open-ended intergovernmental working group tasked to draft an international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons were adopted by consensus. However, votes were held on the extension of special rapporteurs and investigative mechanisms for Iran, Belarus, South Sudan, Ukraine, Nicaragua or the Palestinian territories. In light of the immense pressure that the human rights system is currently facing, support was voiced by 71 states who headed the call of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that: "We cannot allow the fundamental global consensus around international norms and institutions, built painstakingly over decades, to crumble before our eyes."
With the successful conclusion of negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the international community has taken a decisive step toward a stronger global health architecture.