WHO Members Extend Pandemic Treaty Talks

Why this is here: South Africa’s representative warned that a poorly designed annex on benefit-sharing would be “worse than no annex” and would essentially guarantee failure.

In Geneva, Switzerland, World Health Organization members agreed to extend negotiations on a pandemic treaty. Delegates met during the annual high-level assembly to address remaining disagreements. Last May, members adopted a draft agreement aiming to improve international responses to future health crises, learning from the Covid-19 pandemic.

A key sticking point involves the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system. Developing countries, including those in Africa, seek guarantees of access to vaccines and treatments developed from shared pathogen data.

Wealthy nations with large pharmaceutical industries express concern that mandatory benefit-sharing could hinder research. Countries now aim to finalize the treaty by May 2027, potentially sooner with a special session in 2026.

Helen Clark noted that even with an agreement, at least sixty ratifications are needed for the treaty to take effect. She cautioned that delays complicate the process, given six years have passed since the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic. Work toward a finalized treaty continues, though timelines remain uncertain.