WHO Member States have agreed to extend negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, with discussions set to resume from April 27, 2026, to May 1, 2026, ahead of its scheduled consideration at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May.
According to a press release issued on March 28, 2026, the decision reflects a continued commitment by member states to finalize the PABS annex, a key component of the Pandemic Agreement adopted last year to strengthen global cooperation and equity in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
“The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system lies at the heart of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and I thank WHO Member States for their commitment to work to bring it to life,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I urge all delegations to believe in the power of trust – trust in one another, in our institutions, and in our shared ability to transcend differences for the common public good, for solidarity and for equity.”
The PABS annex is designed to ensure, on equal footing, the rapid sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and the fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising from their use, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Member States have engaged in intensive negotiations under the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), discussing critical issues such as defining and distributing benefits, establishing contractual frameworks, and governance mechanisms necessary to ensure the system is transparent, effective, and serves the public interest.
“Member State negotiators are working intensively towards having an ambitious and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing annex ready for adoption at the World Health Assembly in May,” said IGWG Bureau Co-Chair Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil.
IGWG Bureau Co-Chair Matthew Harpur of the United Kingdom added, “With less than two months until the World Health Assembly in May, I welcome the commitment shown this week by Member States towards finding consensus on outstanding areas in the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.”
While recognizing the progress made, member states acknowledged that additional time is needed to bridge remaining differences to finalize the text and submit it to the WHA.
The negotiations reaffirmed a collective commitment to solidarity, multilateralism, and the shared goal of making the world safer and more equitable in the face of future pandemics, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in protecting global health.
