Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex Negotiations Extended

World Health Organization (WHO) member countries have agreed to extend negotiations on the 'Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS)' Annex, a key provision of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Negotiations will resume from April 27 to May 1, and informal inter-session discussions will also take place ahead of this.

This decision is the result of member countries showing a strong commitment to reaching a conclusion to the PABS Annex, with the goal of final adoption at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. The PABS system is designed to ensure rapid sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and fair and equitable distribution of benefits such as vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments developed using them on an equal basis.

Key issues in the pandemic agreement

In the WHO Pandemic Agreement Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) negotiations held last week, member countries conducted intensive discussions. Key issues included the definition and distribution of the benefits arising from pathogen sharing, the nature of the contractual arrangements that would underpin the PABS system, and governance issues to ensure that the system operates effectively and transparently for the public good.

“The PABS system is at the heart of the WHO pandemic agreement,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging all delegations to “trust us with trust in each other, trust in our institutions and trust in our shared ability to transcend differences for the common good, solidarity and equity.”

Lessons learned from COVID-19 and strengthening global health cooperation

The World Health Assembly adopted the pandemic agreement last year. This is to address the vulnerabilities of the international health system revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen global cooperation and equity in preventing, preparing for, and responding to future pandemics.

“Negotiators from member countries are working intensively to develop an ambitious and equitable PABS annex, with the goal of adoption by the World Health Assembly in May,” said Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil, co-chair of the IGWG. UK co-chair Matthew Harper also said, "With less than two months until the World Health Assembly, we welcome the willingness of member states to seek agreement on unresolved areas of the PABS system."

Impact on Korea

Korea plays an important role in the global vaccine and treatment supply chain based on its K-Bio capabilities. Once the PABS system is confirmed, it is expected to have a direct impact on the way Korean pharmaceutical and bio companies participate in responding to the global pandemic and their profit distribution structure. In particular, if pathogen access rights, technology transfer, and drug supply obligations become concrete, it will be necessary for domestic industry and the government to establish response strategies.