WHO Pandemic Agreement: Progress Made on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System

World Health Organization (WHO) Member States have concluded the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) in Geneva, marking a significant step in the ongoing negotiations for a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. As a central pillar of the broader WHO Pandemic Agreement, the PABS annex aims to establish a formal framework for the rapid sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and the equitable distribution of resulting medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. While consensus remains a work in progress, officials report that the draft text has been streamlined, with the next formal session scheduled for September 2026.

The negotiations, which spanned two weeks of intensive dialogue, focused on the complex mechanics of how the world handles biological threats. According to the World Health Organization, the discussions centered on three primary pillars: the contractual arrangements that underpin the system, the architecture of global laboratory networks tasked with handling pathogen data, and the specific definitions of benefits that countries should receive in exchange for sharing samples and genetic sequence information.

Negotiating the PABS Framework

The development of the PABS system is an essential component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was formally adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025 through resolution WHA78.1. The agreement was designed to strengthen international cooperation in preventing, preparing for and responding to pandemics.

Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil, who serves as a Co-Chair of the IGWG Bureau, noted that while the technical and political hurdles are significant, negotiators are moving toward a clearer path. “Over the past two weeks, we have made meaningful progress on some of the most technically and politically complex elements of the PABS annex,” he stated. His colleague, fellow Co-Chair Mr. Matthew Harpur, emphasized that the momentum generated during the Geneva sessions is vital for building a “robust and equitable” system.

The Path to Consensus

The urgency of these negotiations is frequently underscored by WHO leadership. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, reminded delegates that the window for preparation is narrowing. “The next pandemic will not wait. Neither should we,” he said, emphasizing that the primary goal remains a, “world where pathogens and scientific information are shared rapidly, and the benefits they generate are shared fairly and equitably.”

The current draft, while still subject to revision, seeks to balance the immediate need for scientific transparency with the sovereign rights of nations. Key areas of ongoing debate include:

• Contractual Obligations: Establishing binding, standard agreements for how private and public entities access shared pathogen data.
• Laboratory Networks: Coordinating a global, reliable network of laboratories capable of sequencing and storing samples securely.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The IGWG has set a clear timeline for the continuation of this work, with the eighth meeting of the group scheduled to take place from 14-18 September 2026. This session will be critical for finalizing the language of the PABS annex before it is presented for formal signature and ratification by WHO Member States. The successful implementation of this framework is viewed as a foundational step toward strengthening global health security and ensuring that the international community is better equipped to manage future biological risks.

As the international community prepares for the next round of talks, the focus remains on bridging the remaining differences through multilateralism. For those tracking the progress of the Pandemic Agreement, the official WHO portal remains the primary source for documentation, meeting transcripts, and updates regarding the Intergovernmental Working Group’s progress.

What are your thoughts on the balance between national security and global health cooperation? Join the conversation below and share this update with those interested in the future of pandemic preparedness.