WHO delays pandemic treaty amid pathogen-sharing dispute
The World Health Organization has delayed the implementation of its pandemic treaty due to ongoing disputes over pathogen-sharing rules. Member states extended talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, which governs equitable access to vaccines and treatments derived from shared pathogens. Without agreement on PABS, the treaty adopted in 2025 cannot take effect.
- ▪The Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025 to improve global pandemic response.
- ▪The PABS annex aims to ensure fair sharing of pathogens and equitable access to resulting medical countermeasures.
- ▪WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the next pandemic is inevitable and urged urgent progress.
- ▪Member states previously set aside the PABS issue during the treaty's adoption due to contentious negotiations.
- ▪The outcome of current talks will be presented to the World Health Assembly, with a potential special session in 2026 or decision in 2027.
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WHO delays pandemic treaty amid pathogen-sharing disputeSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxLogo of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on a glass panel at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, April 29, 2026. REUTERS/Denis BalibousePublished May 02, 2026, 03:08 AMUpdated May 02, 2026, 03:14 AMListenMay 1 - World Health Organization member states said on Friday they had extended talks on pathogen-sharing rules, casting doubt on when a pandemic treaty adopted last year can come into effect.The talks are focused on a system intended to ensure countries quickly share pathogens that could cause pandemics while receiving fair access to vaccines, tests and treatments that result from their use.Known as the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, it governs…
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