WHO Pandemic Agreement Draft: PABS System and Equity Terms
Why in the news
Negotiators agreed on the text of a global pandemic accord, to go before the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
Key facts
- Less ambitious than the original plan yet called a generational accord; it bridges developed countries and the Global South.
- Health worker protection was the first article all countries agreed.
- Technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, not merely voluntary.
Main provisions
| Area | Provision |
|---|---|
| PABS | Developing nations share pathogen samples and genome data; guaranteed fair access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines |
| Pharma | Donate 10% of production to WHO; sell another 10% at affordable prices to low- and middle-income countries |
Background
The pharma pledges respond to vaccine hoarding in COVID-19. Indonesia’s H5N1 sample-sharing protest in the 2000s is recalled. Rich nations resisted tech-sharing; poorer ones sought access guarantees.
Exam angle
- PABS: Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing.
- Adoption forum: World Health Assembly.