WHO PABS Negotiations: Progress on Pandemic Agreement & Pathogen Sharing

International negotiations are underway to establish a new global framework for sharing pathogens with pandemic potential and ensuring equitable access to the resulting medical countermeasures. Representatives from World Health Organization (WHO) Member States recently convened – resuming a session initially held in December 2025 – to advance discussions on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.

Progress Towards a Pandemic Agreement

The resumed session, taking place from January 20–22, 2026, focused on text-based negotiations and identifying areas of agreement within the draft annex of the PABS system. This system is a central component of a broader agreement being developed by the WHO, initially adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2025.

Did You Know? The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) is specifically tasked with drafting and negotiating the PABS system.

Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes, of Brazil, and Mr. Matthew Harpur, of the United Kingdom, co-chairs of the IGWG Bureau, both expressed optimism regarding the progress made. Ambassador Nunes noted “signs of emerging consensus” in several areas, while Mr. Harpur highlighted the “constructive discussions” and willingness of Member States to collaborate.

The Core of the PABS System

The PABS system aims to facilitate the safe, transparent, and accountable sharing of pathogens that could trigger future pandemics, along with their genetic information. Crucially, it also seeks to ensure fair and equitable access to the benefits derived from these pathogens, including the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools.

Expert Insight: Establishing a system for sharing pathogens and benefits is a complex undertaking, requiring international cooperation and a balance between incentivizing sharing and ensuring global access to critical medical resources. The ongoing negotiations reflect the inherent challenges in navigating these competing priorities.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of a “strong Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system” as a foundation for a “safer and more equitable world,” and thanked countries for their commitment to multilateral solutions.

What’s Next?

Further meetings of the IGWG are planned in the coming months to continue negotiations. The outcome of these discussions is scheduled to be submitted to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2026 for review. It is possible that further revisions and refinements to the PABS system could occur before final adoption. Analysts expect that the remaining negotiations will focus on resolving complex, outstanding issues. A final agreement could be delayed if consensus cannot be reached on these points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the PABS system?

The PABS system is intended to enable the safe, transparent and accountable sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and their genetic sequence information, alongside the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

Who is leading the negotiations on the PABS system?

The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, established by the WHA, is tasked with drafting and negotiating the PABS system.

When will the outcome of the negotiations be considered?

The outcome of the IGWG’s work will be submitted to the Seventy‑ninth World Health Assembly in May 2026 for its consideration.

How might a globally coordinated system for pathogen sharing impact future pandemic preparedness?