Introduction and objective: The aim of the work is to answer the question whether in the current legal order and in the current international conditions it is possible to make the World Health Organization more effective in the sphere of combating global threats? Criticism of this organization, present in the doctrine, speaks in favor of such a definition of the research problem. Understanding these criticisms, as well as the legal basis, will help to define the factors that undermine the effectiveness of health security management at the supranational level, as well as inform about possible solutions. Material and methods: The author focuses on the analysis of the position of representatives of the doctrine - especially in the field of international law and security sciences. In addition, an exegesis of normative acts is carried out, in particular Constitution of the World Health Organization, and a critical analysis of previous publications on the subject. Conclusions: It has been shown that the center of gravity of the WHO effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic shifts from medical challenges to legal challenges and political issues. It was pointed out that the effectiveness of international security regulations and procedures, including health security, resulting from the adopted international conventions, is a direct consequence of the extent to which the authorities of the United Nations Member States are willing to transfer the competences to act both to the UN itself and its specialized organizations. In selected cases, particular interests and an etatist approach to security prevailed over the responsibility for health security in the global dimension.