No consensus among WHO member states on pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing

WHO member states failed to reach consensus on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex after the seventh meeting.

Developed countries advocate for anonymous access to genetic sequences, complicating benefit-sharing for developing nations.

Countries reaffirmed commitment to a PABS system enabling rapid pathogen sharing and fair benefit-sharing including vaccines.

Negotiations focused on contractual arrangements, laboratory networks, and definition of benefits from pathogen sharing.