WHO Nations Extend Talks on Global Pathogen-Sharing System to Boost Pandemic Prep

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed that the negotiations carry both enormous promise and responsibility.

WHO Member States have concluded the latest round of negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, agreeing to resume discussions in January as countries push toward a final text capable of strengthening global pandemic preparedness. The decision reflects a shared sense of urgency and commitment to preventing future health crises.

Delegates met in Geneva from 1–5 December 2025 for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement. During the closing session, governments agreed to extend the negotiations, scheduling a resumed meeting for 20–22 January 2026 to continue refining the PABS annex — one of the most complex and critical components of the future pandemic accord.

A Global System for Sharing Pathogens and Benefits

The World Health Assembly mandated the IGWG to draft and negotiate the PABS annex, which will form the backbone of a global platform enabling rapid, fair, and transparent sharing of pathogens and their genetic sequence information. The system aims to ensure that when dangerous pathogens emerge, countries worldwide can access timely data, samples, and countermeasures — while also receiving equitable benefits from their use.

This includes access to vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, and essential supplies, helping ensure no country is left behind during a health emergency.

IGWG Bureau co-chair Matthew Harpur of the United Kingdom highlighted the momentum achieved so far. “As we cross the halfway mark in negotiations, I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made toward enabling a faster and more equitable global response to future pandemics. Member States have shown real commitment to finding common ground.”

Brazil’s Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes, also co-chair, said the process is on track. “The advances made in access, benefit-sharing, and core governance provide the foundation to move forward. We remain confident we can deliver a strong and balanced PABS system that benefits all people.”

A Critical Milestone for Global Health Security

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed that the negotiations carry both enormous promise and responsibility. “This is a generational opportunity,” he said. “We are in a strong position to forge consensus, finalize the draft, and prepare for adoption at next year’s World Health Assembly. Together, we are building a world better prepared for future pandemics.”

The PABS system is expected to address key challenges exposed during COVID-19, including delays in pathogen sharing, inequitable distribution of vaccines and diagnostics, and insufficient coordination between countries and scientific institutions. By establishing standardized procedures and legally anchored obligations, the system aims to strengthen global trust and cooperation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Timeline Ahead

Ahead of the December session, the IGWG Bureau held informal dialogues with a wide range of stakeholders — from industry and research laboratories to global sequence database managers. These consultations helped inform negotiations on issues such as data governance, access rights, intellectual property considerations, supply chain needs, and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Additional focused dialogues will continue over the coming weeks to ensure that technical, scientific, and ethical perspectives are incorporated into the next phase of negotiations.

Following the resumed session in January, the fifth IGWG meeting is scheduled for 9–14 February 2026, marking a decisive stage leading into the adoption process at the next World Health Assembly.

A Step Toward a Safer Future

As countries continue working to finalize the PABS system, health experts and global governance specialists underscore its importance: a functioning, equitable pathogen-sharing system could significantly shorten response times in outbreaks, improve global access to medical countermeasures, and reduce the risk of pandemics spiraling out of control.

The coming months will be crucial as WHO Member States push toward consensus on one of the most ambitious global health governance frameworks of the decade.