Final talks begin on missing piece for pandemic treaty

Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) is once again the stage for critical, high-stakes negotiations as member states convene this week to hammer out the final details of a global pandemic treaty. The crucial missing piece, the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, remains a significant hurdle, highlighting the deep divisions between wealthy and developing nations.

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Developing countries are voicing their mistrust, fearing they will share their viruses without any guarantees of equitable access to vaccines in the event of a crisis.

Developing countries, particularly those in Africa, voiced their concerns, recalling the inequities experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. They fear that sharing vital pathogen data without ironclad guarantees of equitable access to life-saving vaccines and treatments would be a repeat of past injustices. This mistrust is a significant barrier, as WHO chief scientist Sylvie Briand noted, emphasizing the delicate balance required to ensure both data sharing and benefit distribution.

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to integrate the sharing of genetic data, now as crucial as that of physical viruses for developing vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics

Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry's role and motivations are under scrutiny. Questions linger about their capacity and willingness to contribute to a global agreement without the assurance of a return on investment. Integrating the sharing of genetic data, now as critical as physical samples, adds another layer of complexity to these already challenging discussions. The success of this treaty hinges on finding a compromise that addresses these diverse interests and builds a truly equitable framework for global health security.

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Progress has been slow and finding compromise will be very hard, though the European Union was now "making an effort to demonstrate some flexibility".

From our perspective, this treaty is not just about future health crises; it's about global solidarity and rectifying historical imbalances. While Western media often focuses on the technicalities of the agreement, we in developing nations see it as a critical opportunity to ensure that our contributions are valued and that we are not left behind in the next global health emergency. The negotiations in Geneva are a test of whether the world can truly learn from the failures of the past and build a more just and resilient future for all.

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Licensing, technology transfer and broader capacity building of your health system - that remains a big point of contention.