The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global blueprint aimed at helping countries deal with coronavirus threats in a more steady and coordinated way, marking a clear move from emergency COVID-19 measures to a long-term plan that countries can apply in their daily health systems.
The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan for Coronavirus Disease Threat Management lays out steps for improving surveillance, early detection, preparedness and stronger health systems as the world continues to face ongoing COVID-19 infections and the continued risk posed by MERS and other coronaviruses.
WHO says the plan brings together years of experience from battling different coronavirus outbreaks and is designed to guide countries as the threats change over time.
The coronavirus family has repeatedly disrupted global health for more than twenty years.
The first SARS outbreak in 2002, the spread of MERS in 2012 and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 have shown how quickly these viruses can trigger epidemics and even global crises. While the worst phase of COVID-19 has passed, the virus is still spreading, especially among people who are more vulnerable.
WHO estimates that about 6 percent of infected people develop Post COVID-19 Condition, widely known as long COVID, and that 15 percent of those affected continue to deal with symptoms for over a year. This, the agency says, is a reminder that countries cannot let their guard down.
“Coronaviruses remain one of the most consequential infectious disease threats today,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s Acting Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Management.
She urged governments to build coronavirus management into existing programmes that address other respiratory and infectious diseases, noting: “Integrating their management into broader respiratory disease and infectious threat prevention and control programmes, including for influenza, is essential. While each country will have its own approach tailored to its national context, WHO urges Member States to use the strategic directions set out in the plan to build resilient health systems that can effectively manage current threats while preparing for future ones.”
WHO says the plan is built on lessons gathered over five years of COVID-19 response work and long-term experience with MERS and other respiratory infections.
According to the agency, the new strategy was shaped through a “consultative and inclusive process,” pulling in feedback from countries, regional teams, research partners and the public to ensure it fits the realities and capacities of different health systems.
A major part of the strategy focuses on improving global surveillance. As part of this effort, WHO has expanded its Coronavirus Network, known as CoViNet, which links laboratories and surveillance teams monitoring SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and other rising coronavirus threats.
The network now has 45 national reference laboratories, including 11 added in 2025, covering human, animal and environmental health fields.
CoViNet also works closely with the long-running Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, a move WHO says strengthens early-warning systems around the world.
WHO is calling on governments to shift from short-term emergency action to long-term, steady management of coronavirus threats.
The agency says this approach is key to protecting populations today while preparing for unexpected outbreaks and future pandemics.
