- The Council adopted Decision (EU) 2026/1966 on 27 August 2026 establishing the EU's position at the first IHR (2005) Committee meeting.
- The Union will support the terms of reference provided they secure EU observer participation.
- The first meeting of the States Parties Committee starts on 31 August 2026.
- The Decision is based on IHR (2005) amendments that entered into force on 19 September 2025.
- The Decision enters into force on the date of adoption and was signed by Council President T. Byrne.
Background
The Council of the European Union has adopted Decision (EU) 2026/1966 of 27 August 2026, establishing the Union's position at the first meeting of the States Parties Committee for the Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005). The meeting is scheduled to start on 31 August 2026.
The International Health Regulations (2005) entered into force on 15 June 2007. Amendments adopted by the World Health Assembly on 1 June 2024 entered into force on 19 September 2025, except for States Parties that rejected them. The amendments, among other things, led to the establishment of the States Parties Committee to facilitate the effective implementation of the IHR (2005).
The EU's Position and Conditions
The Union is not itself a party to the IHR (2005), as only States can be Parties. All Member States, however, are parties. Earlier, in Council Decision (EU) 2025/1129, the Council invited Member States to accept the IHR (2005) amendments in the interest of the Union, to the extent that the Union had adopted common rules on the matters concerned.
Under the new Decision, the Union's position at the first Committee meeting is to support the adoption of the terms of reference for the Committee and its Subcommittee, provided that the final texts meet two conditions:
- The terms of reference ensure the efficient, cost-effective, transparent, and orderly functioning and organisation of meetings of the Committee and its Subcommittee.
- The terms of reference allow for the Union's participation as an observer in the Committee and its Subcommittee.
Legal Effects
The envisaged acts of the States Parties Committee will produce legal effects for the Union, as they determine whether regional economic integration organisations such as the Union may participate as observers. They also determine how future decisions of the Committee and its Subcommittee will be taken.
Decisions and recommendations concerning the application and interpretation of the IHR (2005) – in particular the amended provisions authorised pursuant to Decision (EU) 2025/1129 – are capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, in particular Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, which provides the framework for coordinating and strengthening prevention, preparedness, and response to serious cross-border threats to health of biological, chemical, environmental, and unknown origin.
Implementation
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Decision | (EU) 2026/1966 |
| Date | 27 August 2026 |
| Enters into force | 27 August 2026 (date of adoption) |
| Committee meeting | From 31 August 2026 |
| Place | Brussels |
| President of the Council | T. Byrne |
The Union's position shall be expressed by the Member States represented in the States Parties Committee, acting jointly in the interest of the Union. Minor technical changes to the position may be agreed upon without a further Council Decision.
In areas of shared competences, Member States retain their competence insofar as the IHR (2005) do not affect common rules of Union law or alter their scope.