WHO Member States agree to extend negotiations on key annex to the Pandemic Agreement

WHO Member States have agreed to extend negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, with discussions set to resume in late April in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of its scheduled consideration by the World Health Assembly in May 2026.

The decision to extend negotiations on the PABS annex is significant as it reflects the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, which aims to establish a global framework for the sharing of pathogens and associated benefits. The PABS annex is a key component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which seeks to strengthen global health security and promote equitable access to health products and technologies. The extension of negotiations will provide WHO Member States with additional time to address outstanding issues and reach a consensus on the annex, which is crucial for the effective implementation of the Pandemic Agreement.

The extension of negotiations on the PABS annex is set against the backdrop of ongoing global efforts to strengthen health security and promote international cooperation in the face of emerging health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more robust and equitable global health architecture, and the WHO Pandemic Agreement is a critical component of this effort. The PABS annex, in particular, has the potential to promote greater transparency and cooperation in the sharing of pathogens and associated data, which is essential for the development of effective countermeasures against emerging health threats. The negotiations on the PABS annex are also informed by broader debates about global health governance, intellectual property rights, and the distribution of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

The extension of negotiations on the PABS annex is likely to have significant implications for the upcoming World Health Assembly in May 2026, where the Pandemic Agreement is expected to be considered for adoption. The WHA is the highest decision-making body of the WHO, and its consideration of the Pandemic Agreement will be a critical milestone in the global effort to strengthen health security. The outcome of the negotiations on the PABS annex will be closely watched by governments, civil society organisations, and industry stakeholders, who will be seeking clarity on the future of global health governance and the rules governing the sharing of pathogens and associated benefits. The WHO Secretariat will now work closely with Member States to facilitate the resumed negotiations in late April, with the aim of reaching a consensus on the PABS annex that can be presented to the WHA for consideration.