Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have made progress on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex, a key part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement intended to ensure a more equitable response to future pandemics. However, they agreed more time is needed to finalize the framework. The resumed sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, held in Geneva, focused on the PABS system. The results will be presented to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA) for consideration on whether to continue the negotiations under Resolution WHA78.1, with outcomes to be submitted by May 2027 or earlier via a special WHA session in 2026.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed confidence that continued negotiations will resolve remaining differences. He emphasized the urgency, noting the next pandemic is a question of when, not if, and described the PABS annex as the last crucial component needed for the Pandemic Agreement and related WHO efforts influenced by lessons from COVID-19.
The PABS system aims to facilitate rapid sharing of pandemic-potential pathogens on an equal basis and ensure fair access to resulting benefits such as vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Finalizing the PABS annex is required before countries can sign and ratify the Pandemic Agreement. Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes, IGWG Bureau Co-Chair, highlighted the document's technical and legal complexity and affirmed that with an extension, Member States are expected to reach agreement.
IGWG Co-Chair Mr Matthew Harpur stated that WHO Member States remain strongly committed to PABS annex negotiations, and the IGWG Bureau is confident the annex will provide the needed framework for better, more equitable pandemic preparedness and protection. The IGWG plans its seventh meeting from 6 to 17 July.