Background
On 20 May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement, a global framework intended to improve coordination, equity, and preparedness for future health emergencies. Vanuatu joined 124 other countries in adopting the agreement at the WHO’s 78th Assembly in Geneva.
Source:
- WHO official press release: https://www.who.int/news/item/20-05-2025-world-health-assembly-adopts-historic-pandemic-agreement-to-make-the-world-more-equitable-and-safer-from-future-pandemics
- Vanuatu’s endorsement at WHA78: https://apps.who.int/gb/statements/WHA78/PDF/Vanuatu-16.2.pdf
Misunderstanding Around July 19: The Real Story
A video by Vanuatu MP John Salong has circulated online, citing the July 19 deadline as a reason for public concern about the WHO agreement. His concerns appear to stem from a conspiracy-oriented opinion article published on the website Free Speech Backlash titled “The WHO Treaty: A Quiet Coup Against National Sovereignty and Democratic Accountability”.
Source of this claim:
This article mixes factual developments—like the WHO’s treaty adoption—with inflammatory and speculative claims about “globalist coups,” censorship, and totalitarianism. It also misrepresents WHO processes, including the July 19 date, which is not about the pandemic agreement.
What Is July 19, Actually?
The July 19, 2025 date is linked to amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR)—a separate process from the Pandemic Agreement. Under WHO procedure, adopted IHR amendments are deemed accepted unless a country formally rejects them within 18 months. That deadline for objections is July 19, but:
- These amendments are non-binding unless ratified by national processes.
- Vanuatu has not publicly declared any intent to reject or ratify them.
- These IHR changes do not override national sovereignty unless a government agrees through its own laws or ratification.
Source:
- WHO document on IHR amendments: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_R17-en.pdf
What the Pandemic Agreement Actually Says
- The WHO Pandemic Agreement is still not in force.
- A Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex is still under negotiation.
- Only after this annex is finalized (expected in 2026), the treaty will be opened for signature, then require 60 national ratifications to take effect.
- Vanuatu has not signed or ratified anything beyond the general support voiced at the WHA.
Sources:
- WHO Q&A on the treaty: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/pandemic-prevention–preparedness-and-response-accord
- Health Policy Watch explainer: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/who-outlines-long-road-ahead-before-pandemic-agreement-comes-into-force
Summary
| Claim | Truth |
|---|---|
| Vanuatu must sign the WHO Pandemic Agreement by 19 July 2025 | ❌ False – no such requirement exists |
| WHO treaty overrides national sovereignty | ❌ Misleading – the treaty requires domestic ratification to be binding |
| Vanuatu has already signed the treaty | ❌ False – it supported adoption in May, but has not signed or ratified |
| The July 19 deadline is real | ✅ Only for IHR amendments, and countries can still reject or ignore them if they choose |
Final Thoughts
While public debate is always welcome in a democracy, it’s important to base those discussions on verified facts. The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a public health treaty, not a “coup.” Claims suggesting otherwise are rooted in conspiracy theories like those found on FreeSpeechBacklash.com, not in legal or constitutional realities.
MP John Salong’s concerns, though entitled to scrutiny, appear to be heavily influenced by misinformation from fringe sources. Vanuatu’s sovereignty remains intact. Any future ratification of WHO instruments would require deliberate action by the Vanuatu government, not automatic enforcement by Geneva.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. While we have reviewed statements made by MP John Salong and verified them against official sources, we do not claim to represent the position of the Government of Vanuatu, the World Health Organization (WHO), or any official body. The information presented here is based on available public records, WHO documentation, and independent reporting as of July 2025.
We encourage readers to consult official government statements and WHO communications for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Any opinions expressed or cited are those of their respective speakers or sources.
This article aims to promote informed public discussion—not to spread fear, misinformation, or discredit any individual.
Mattdotvu 
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