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Ref.: C.L.18.2026
International Health Regulations (2005)
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) presents his compliments
to States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005) (“IHR”) and has the honour to
refer to the amendments to the IHR adopted by the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly
through resolution WHA77.17 (2024) (“2024 amendments”), the correction procedure regarding
the IHR, undertaken in accordance with decision WHA78(24) (2025) and referred to in Circular
Letters C.L. 13.2025 and C.L. 36.2025, as well as the amendments to the IHR adopted through
resolution WHA75.12 (“2022 amendments”).
1. 2024 amendments
A. Communications received from States Parties
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 63 of the IHR, as amended in 2022, the Federal
Republic of Germany withdrew its rejection 1 of the 2024 amendments, through a communication
dated 23 February 2026 and received on the same day by the Secretariat. In accordance with the
same provision, the 2024 amendments have therefore entered into force with regard to the
Federal Republic of Germany as of 23 February 2026.
States Parties to which the 2022 amendments do not apply could notify the Director-General
of any rejection or reservation regarding the 2024 amendments no later than 19 March 2026. In
this regard, the Director-General has the honour to inform States Parties that the Islamic
Republic of Iran, New Zealand and the Slovak Republic rejected the 2024 amendments through
communications dated 12 March 2026 and 16 March 2026, and received by the Secretariat on
the same days, respectively.
... The above-mentioned communications are enclosed with this Circular Letter.
B. Absence of objections to reservations
As stated in Circular Letter C.L. 26.2025, States Parties to which the 2022 amendments do
not apply could submit objections to the reservations submitted by the Holy See and Switzerland
in respect of the 2024 amendments no later than 8 February 2026.
Pursuant to paragraph 5 of Article 62 of the IHR, the Director-General wishes to inform
States Parties that no objections were received by the above-mentioned deadline from States
Parties to which the 2022 amendments do not apply.
1
The rejection, dated 10 July 2025, had been communicated on 8 August 2025 through Circular Letter
C.L.26.2025.
... ENCL.: (4)
Page 2
C.L.18.2026
2. Outcome of the correction procedure regarding the Chinese text of the IHR
The Director-General has the honour to refer to Circular Letter 36.2025 on the correction
procedure regarding the IHR and, in particular, the alternative and additional proposed
corrections to the Chinese text of the IHR that were presented in the Annex to C.L.36.2025.
States Parties could submit objections to these alternative and additional proposed corrections by
17 February 2026.
No objections were received within this deadline. Accordingly, the aforementioned
alternative and additional proposed corrections to the Chinese text of the IHR are deemed
adopted by all States Parties to the IHR in accordance with decision WHA78(24), and will be
reflected in the consolidated Chinese text of the IHR published on the WHO website in due
course.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to
States Parties to the IHR the assurance of his highest consideration.
GENEVA, 1 May 2026
NEW ZEALAND
Permanent Mission
TE AKA AORERE
NOTE NUMBER: 2026/88
The Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations Office and Other International
Organizations in Geneva presents its compliments to the Director-General of the World Health
Organization and has the honour to refer to the Director-General’s Notification to States Parties to the
International Health Regulations (2005) Ref: C.L.40.2024 of 19 September 2024 regarding the
amendments to the International Health Regulations adopted by the seventy-seventh World Health
Assembly on 1 June 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the 2024 Amendments).
The Permanent Mission notes that further to Note Number 2023/76 New Zealand has until 18 March
2026 to inform the Director-General of New Zealand’s rejection of, or reservations in respect of, the
2024 Amendments.
The Permanent Mission wishes to notify the Director-General that, in accordance with Article 61 of the
International Health Regulations, New Zealand rejects the 2024 Amendments. The Permanent Mission
notes, pursuant to Article 63 of the International Health Regulations, New Zealand may withdraw its
rejection in the future.
The Permanent Mission takes this opportunity to renew to the Director-General of the World Health
Organization the assurances of its highest considerations.
New Zealand Permanent Mission
GENEVA
16 March 2026
g PERMANENT MISSION
OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
TO THE UNITTD NATIONS OIFICE
AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
IN GENIVA
NOTE VERBALE
02937012026-CHSM1-1
The Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations Office and
other lnternational Organisations in Geneva presents its compliments to the World
Health Organization and has the honour to send enclosed the letter of the Minister of
Health of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Kamil Saëko, addressed to the Director General of
the WHO, Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Permanent Mission of Slovakia would be most grateful if the WHO could
kindly acknowledge the receipt of this communication.
The Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the World Health Organization the assurances of its highest consideration
Geneva, 16 March 2026
Attached: Letter of MoH
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva
Switzerland
Saatja: "ola" <
[email protected]>
Teema: WHO: C.L.18.2026 (IHR amendments)
Kuupäev: 2026-05-01 14:08
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear
States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR),
Please find attached, in the six official languages, C.L.18.2026 informing
of amendments to the IHR and related correction procedures.
Best regards,
Department of Governing Bodies
World Health Organization
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