It is disappointing that after one year of dedicated negotiations, the Pandemic Agreement still lacks a finalised PABS Annex – preventing the Agreement’s full weight from being brought to bear. The world urgently needs the Pandemic Agreement’s commitments – across supply chains, R&D, clinical trials, the health workforce, and other key areas – to be matched by an effective, equitable PABS system. Together, they represent a crucial opportunity to right the egregious wrongs of the COVID-19 pandemic and advance a more equitable approach to future threats.
It is a positive signal that Member States have stressed they want to get the job done and have committed to continue negotiations through May 2027, with the potential to conclude earlier. Rani remains committed to working with leaders and negotiators to advance the system changes needed to truly ground pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in equity and access for all.
An effective, equitable PABS system depends on an acceptable level of guaranteed benefits – and that must be non-negotiable. High-income countries in particular must champion structures and processes that ensure those who benefit from accessing pathogen data contribute meaningfully in return – making equitable pandemic response not an aspiration but a guarantee. Equally, all parties must remain open to policy innovation that can bridge diverging perspectives, finding approaches that make both agile R&D and guaranteed benefits mutually reinforcing rather than competing goals. We encourage all Member States to come together behind a meaningful PABS system that delivers real change, not just tinkers at the margins.
