Member States have begun formal discussions on the draft annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which will establish the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system — a key mechanism to strengthen global pandemic preparedness.
The draft, discussed during the Third Meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) held from 3–7 November in Geneva, outlines how countries will share pathogen materials and genetic data, and ensure fair, timely access to resulting benefits such as vaccines and treatments.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Member States for their progress, calling the agreement “a collective promise to protect humanity.”
The finalized PABS annex is expected to be submitted to the World Health Assembly in 2026 for adoption, paving the way for national approval of the Pandemic Agreement.