The International Health Regulations: A Commentary

As geopolitical tension, scientific disinformation, and scepticism toward multilateralism continue to grow, the risk of future global health emergencies is even more urgent. Five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons of this global health emergency remain to be heeded.

This volume is the first comprehensive legal commentary on the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations (IHRs), as amended in 2022 and 2024. Together with the 2025 WHO Pandemic Agreement, the IHRs constitute the cornerstone of the international legal framework for coordinated responses to global health threats.

The commentary is organised in three parts. Part I (Foundations) situates the IHRs within their historical and institutional context. Part II (Core System) provides a detailed legal analysis of the IHR (2005) and its subsequent amendments. Part III (Normative Context) explores the relationship between the IHRs and other areas of international law, including human rights, international trade, intellectual property, and environmental law, including the 'One Health' approach. The volume also examines the 2025 WHO Pandemic Agreement in relation to the IHRs.

Comprehensive and timely, The International Health Regulations: A Commentary serves as an essential roadmap for preparing for future global health risks.