WHO Urges Member States to Finalize Pandemic Agreement

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), called on member states to finalize negotiations regarding the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex to the pandemic agreement.

During the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), he expressed hope that negotiations could be concluded in time for adoption at the upcoming World Health Assembly. He acknowledged that while the completion of the process did not occur as planned, the commitment of the delegations to continue negotiations despite challenges was commendable.

Dr. Tedros emphasized the importance of establishing a system for the rapid sharing of pathogen samples and ensuring that the results benefit are distributed fairly and equitably.

He warned that delays in finalizing the agreement would leave the world less prepared for future public health emergencies, stressing that the next pandemic will not wait for readiness, as highlighted by recent outbreaks such as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship.