The World Health Organisation (WHO) is tasked with coordinating global responses to public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019, presented a major test for the WHO’s governance frameworks. However, several policy failures—such as delays in key declarations, inconsistent guidance, logistical challenges in resource allocation, and political influences—are considered to have hampered its ability to effectively mitigate the pandemic's spread in the early stages. This article critically assesses the WHO’s performance based on available epidemiological data, health systems analysis, and global governance frameworks. The analysis highlights areas of mismanagement and offers actionable recommendations for future pandemic preparedness, governance reforms, and strengthening the WHO’s role in public health emergencies.