WHO Member States advance negotiations on pandemic benefit-sharing framework
Countries reaffirm dedication to rapid sharing of pathogens and fair distribution of vaccines and therapeutics, though complex technical and political differences remain on contractual arrangements and laboratory structures.
Negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex, a central component of the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Agreement, have advanced significantly during the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) in Geneva. The two-week session concluded last Friday, with Member States reaffirming their commitment to a framework that ensures the rapid sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and the fair, equitable distribution of associated benefits, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
During the meeting, countries streamlined the draft text of the annex while continuing consultations on more complex issues to move closer to consensus. Discussions focused on several interrelated elements, including the contractual arrangements underpinning the framework, the structure of laboratory networks responsible for handling pathogens and their sequence information, and the precise definition of benefits arising from pathogen sharing.
IGWG Bureau Co-Chairs Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil and Mr Matthew Harpur reported meaningful progress on some of the most technically and politically complex elements of the annex. Ambassador Nunes noted that while the remaining issues are challenging, there is a clear path to completing the work, while Mr Harpur emphasised that continued momentum could finalise an annex that strengthens global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Member States for their continued dedication to multilateralism and dialogue. He stated that while differences remain, they can be bridged if nations keep their shared goal in sight: a world where pathogens and scientific information are shared rapidly, and the benefits they generate are distributed fairly. He underscored the urgency of the task, noting that the next pandemic will not wait.
Finalising the annex is described as a critical step for countries to consider signing and ratifying the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025. The IGWG will hold its eighth meeting from 14-18 September 2026 to continue intensive discussions aimed at resolving outstanding differences and completing the framework.
