The Russian government has amended a resolution on the distribution of responsibilities among federal agencies for ensuring the country’s participation in United Nations system organizations. Under the changes, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been additionally involved in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO). The inclusion of the ministry will expand Russia’s expertise in the production of medical devices and pharmaceutical products within the framework of international collaboration.
In particular, this step will allow Russia to participate more effectively in shaping global regulations for the circulation of medical products and to respond more promptly to changes in international requirements for the production and supply of medicines and medical devices.
Previously, the list of responsible authorities included the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rospotrebnadzor, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. The expansion of cooperation with WHO aligns with the Concept of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation of Russia, approved in May 2025. The document explicitly предусматривает thematic cooperation with the organization at the global level, which is particularly relevant in the context of joint efforts to prevent pandemics and develop healthcare systems.
In the same month, WHO adopted the so-called “historic pandemic agreement.” The document was agreed upon after three years of negotiations that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was supported by 124 countries, while 11 states, including Russia, abstained from voting.
According to the draft agreement, WHO member states commit to establishing a system for access to pathogens and sharing the benefits derived from them, as well as assisting each other in transferring knowledge and technologies for the production of vaccines, tests, and other pandemic-related medical products.
Source: GxP News, March 16, 2026.
