Pathogen-access annex talks collapse, derailing WHO pandemic pact negotiations again

The World Health Organization’s pandemic agreement is still not operational because governments have again failed to finish the annex that would govern how pathogens, samples and genetic sequence data are shared in a future outbreak. WHO said on May 1 that member states had made progress on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, or PABS, annex but needed more time to finalize it. The delay matters because WHO says the full agreement cannot open for signature and ratification until the annex is adopted. ### Why is one unfinished annex holding up the whole pact? The PABS annex is the part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement meant to set the rules for how countries share pathogens with pandemic potential and what they receive in return. WHO says the system is intended to support faster sharing of materials and data while linking that access to more equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments developed from them. (who.int) The World Health Assembly adopted the broader WHO Pandemic Agreement on May 20, 2025 after years of negotiations. But WHO says the pathogen-access annex was left for a separate Intergovernmental Working Group process, making it the next required step before countries can sign and ratify the agreement under their own constitutional procedures. ### What actually broke down in the latest round? WHO said on May 1 that member states had “progressed work” on the annex but agreed that “additional time was needed” to finalize the framework. (who.int) A Reuters-reported account carried by other outlets said the negotiations remained stuck over how quickly countries must share pathogen materials and digital sequence information, and what benefits developing countries would receive in return. The dispute has centered on a familiar divide between richer and poorer countries. According to the Hindustan Times report, developed countries pushed for rapid sharing of pathogen materials and data, while developing countries sought firmer guarantees on access to vaccines, tests and treatments produced from that information. ### Why is this coming to a head during Ebola outbreaks? (who.int) WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on May 20 that the Ebola epidemic linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda was assessed as high risk at the national and regional levels and low at the global level. In the same briefing, he said 51 cases had been confirmed in the DRC and Uganda had reported two confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death, while an American national infected in DRC had been transferred to Germany. (hindustantimes.com) WHO had already determined on May 17 that the Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda constituted a public health emergency of international concern, but not a pandemic emergency under the International Health Regulations. WHO’s statement said the event met the criteria for a PHEIC because of the risk of international spread, while stopping short of the higher pandemic-emergency threshold. (who.int) ### What did WHO say about U.S. criticism? CBS News reported on May 20 that WHO suggested some U.S. criticism of its Ebola response could reflect a “misunderstanding.” The report said the criticism came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the agency of failing to declare a pandemic emergency. WHO’s formal position was narrower. In its May 17 determination, the agency said the outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern but did not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency as defined in the IHR. (who.int) ### Where does Kenya fit into this story? WHO’s Africa office said on May 14 that The Elders visited its regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Hub in Nairobi, which supports outbreak logistics, medical stockpiles and rapid response across the region. (cbsnews.com) WHO said African countries faced more than 140 health emergencies in 2025. The Elders have also been publicly campaigning for stronger pandemic rules, including a treaty and broader reforms on equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. (who.int) Their pandemic program says they support global policies aimed at pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The next formal milestone is the resumption of Intergovernmental Working Group negotiations on the PABS annex. WHO says only after the World Health Assembly adopts that annex can the pandemic agreement open for signature and move toward entry into force, which requires 60 ratifications and then 30 days. (afro.who.int) (who.int) (theelders.org)