WHO member states fail to agree on key pandemic treaty element

Negotiations among World Health Organization (WHO) member states have stalled again, failing to secure an agreement on a crucial component of a proposed pandemic treaty. The seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), held in Geneva, concluded last week with only limited advancements on the annex concerning the Access to Pathogens and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.

This PABS system is considered essential for the global pandemic accord to take effect. The initial target for its finalization was May 2026, but the pace of negotiations has been notably slow. Despite the setbacks, the WHO stated that member states "advanced negotiations" on the PABS system and agreed that further discussions are necessary to establish a framework for a more rapid, effective, and equitable response to future pandemics.

A subsequent, eighth round of negotiations is slated for September 14. According to the WHO, the recent discussions helped streamline the draft text and concentrate on technical aspects. These include the contractual basis for the mechanism, the networks of laboratories involved in handling and sharing pathogens and their genetic sequences, and the definition of benefits derived from such exchanges.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that differences persist but expressed optimism that they can be overcome. "This task is essential and urgent. The next pandemic will not wait. Neither should we," he stated in a release, underscoring the critical need to finalize a framework that ensures pathogens and scientific information are shared swiftly, with benefits distributed fairly and equitably worldwide.