WHO Member States concluded their latest round of negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, agreeing to reconvene in January 2026 to accelerate progress. The decision to resume deliberations reflects the shared urgency among countries to enhance global preparedness and ensure safer, more equitable responses to future pandemics.
The fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement took place in Geneva from 1–5 December 2025. Member States requested an extension of the fourth round, with negotiations set to continue from 20–22 January 2026. The IGWG, established by the World Health Assembly, is tasked with drafting and negotiating the PABS annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. A key objective is to establish a PABS platform that enables timely, fair, and transparent sharing of pathogens, their genetic information, and associated benefits, laying the groundwork for more effective pandemic responses.
IGWG Bureau co-chair Mr. Matthew Harpur of the United Kingdom highlighted the progress made in building a faster and more equitable global response system, noting Member States’ commitment to bridging differences. Co-chair Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil emphasized that advancements on access, benefit-sharing, and governance provide a strong foundation for a balanced PABS system that benefits all people. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the initiative as both a generational opportunity and responsibility, praising the efforts of Member States and the IGWG Bureau in moving toward consensus and preparing for adoption at the next World Health Assembly.
In preparation for the resumed session, the IGWG Bureau held informal dialogues with stakeholders from the private sector, academia, laboratories, and sequence information databases. These focused discussions will continue in the coming weeks to inform the negotiations. The fifth IGWG meeting is scheduled for 9–14 February 2026, where Member States aim to finalize the draft and advance the PABS system toward adoption.
