Member states concluded the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the Pandemic Agreement in Geneva last week, making further progress on the proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex.
The PABS framework is regarded as a central element of the agreement and is designed to facilitate the rapid sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential while ensuring that benefits arising from their use are distributed fairly and equitably.
Negotiators spent two weeks refining the draft text and discussing outstanding issues, including the contractual arrangements underpinning the system, the structure of laboratory networks responsible for sharing pathogens and genetic sequence information, and the definition of benefits generated from pathogen sharing.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the progress made during the talks. “I commend Member States for their continued dedication to multilateralism, dialogue and to finding common ground.”
Tedros said differences remain between countries but expressed confidence that consensus can be achieved. “While differences remain, those differences can be bridged if we keep our shared goal in sight: a world where pathogens and scientific information are shared rapidly, and the benefits they generate are shared fairly and equitably.”
Tedros warned that efforts to strengthen global health cooperation remain urgent. “The task is vital, and urgent. The next pandemic will not wait. Neither should we.”
The meeting ended with member states reaffirming their commitment to continue intensive negotiations towards an effective and equitable PABS system.
IGWG Bureau Co-Chair Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil said meaningful progress had been achieved despite the complexity of the discussions. “Over the past two weeks, we have made meaningful progress on some of the most technically and politically complex elements of the PABS annex.”
Nunes added: “The remaining issues are challenging, but we have a clear path to completing this important work.”
IGWG Bureau Co-Chair Matthew Harpur said the negotiations demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening global preparedness for future health emergencies. “The progress made at this meeting reflects our shared determination to deliver an effective, robust and equitable PABS system.”
Harpur added: “With continued momentum, we can finalise an annex that strengthens global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.”
Finalising the annex is considered a critical step towards allowing countries to sign and ratify the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
The agreement seeks to strengthen international cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, building on lessons learned from COVID-19 and other global health emergencies.
The IGWG is scheduled to hold its eighth meeting from September 14 to 18 as negotiations continue towards a final agreement on the PABS framework.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–
