In an important step, Member States started discussing for the first time the proposed draft text of the annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement that establishes the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. The PABS system is a key part of the global agreement adopted earlier in 2025 to make the world safer from future pandemics.

The draft PABS annex was discussed at the Third meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) that took place over 3–7 November in Geneva. The World Health Assembly established the IGWG to undertake several tasks, including, as a priority, to draft and negotiate the PABS annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

“I thank Member States for their vital efforts to negotiate the first draft of the PABS annex and commend them on the progress made in finding shared positions and solutions to the shared risks and challenges posed by future pandemics,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Solidarity is our best immunity. Finalizing the Pandemic Agreement, through a commitment to multilateral action, is our collective promise to protect humanity.”

To enable a timely and effective response to future pandemics, countries must be able to quickly identify pathogens that have pandemic potential and share their genetic information and material so scientists can develop tools like tests, treatments, and vaccines. The PABS system will facilitate the rapid and timely sharing of materials and sequence information from pathogens with pandemic potential. It will also, on an equal footing, enable the rapid, timely, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from such materials and sequence information.