WHO PABS Negotiations: Progress Towards Pandemic Agreement Annex

Negotiations concluded this weekend on a draft annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement focused on pathogen access and benefit sharing (PABS), a critical component of the global effort to prepare for and respond to future pandemics. The fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, established last year by the World Health Assembly (WHA), wrapped up on February 14, 2026, after a week of discussions.

The PABS system aims to accelerate the development of countermeasures – including diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines – by ensuring the rapid sharing of pathogen materials and genetic sequence data. The agreement seeks to establish a framework for equitable access to these resources, based on public health needs. According to the WHO, timely access to pathogens and their genetic information is essential for a swift and effective response to emerging threats.

Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil, a co-chair of the IGWG Bureau, stated that countries demonstrated “steadfast commitment” to finalizing the PABS annex. “We now have a clear vision for streamlining the text, even as ensuring that the more contentious elements receive the necessary consultation,” Nunes said.

While progress was reported, significant challenges remain. Matthew Harpur, of the United Kingdom and also a co-chair of the IGWG Bureau, acknowledged “critical differences” among Member States. “With time running short, the coming weeks will be critical in bridging the remaining gaps and delivering a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex that is fair, effective, and fit for purpose,” Harpur stated.

The push for the PABS annex follows the adoption of the broader WHO Pandemic Agreement last year, a response to shortcomings revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement is intended to strengthen international cooperation and coordination in preventing, preparing for, and responding to future global health emergencies. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of building on the momentum of last year’s agreement, stating that “strong multilateralism remains essential as countries have to face future pandemics together, collectively.”

During the meeting, Member States engaged with stakeholders from the private sector, academic institutions, laboratories, and sequence information databases. The IGWG is scheduled to resume negotiations next month, with the goal of presenting a finalized PABS annex to the WHA in May. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched as the international community seeks to bolster its defenses against future pandemic threats, as highlighted in a recent WHO assessment of global pandemic preparedness six years after the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

The WHO recently welcomed participation from US states in its Global Disease Outbreaks Network, signaling continued efforts to broaden international collaboration on disease surveillance and response.