The Role of Treaties, Agreements, Conventions, and Other International Instruments in Global Health

As nations become more reliant on each other for cohesive development of global health policies and practice, and globalization increasingly makes health challenges in one part of the world concerns for all nations, the importance and use of international agreements in framing policy and national commitments have increased. This article reviews international agreements, looking specifically at multilateral instruments or partnerships, to identify those that either directly focus on or encompass health. It defines the different types of agreements, describes the process through which governments enter into these agreements, evaluates the legality of agreements under international law, and assesses participation by member states.