Although the Pandemic Treaty was adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), its core mechanism for ensuring equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics remains unresolved. As the World Health Assembly approaches its 79th session in May 2026, negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System enter their final and decisive phase. In the upcoming months, governments will negotiate under intense time pressure while industry lobbying and geopolitical interests threaten to dilute or delay meaningful commitments.
PABS aims to ensure that during outbreaks countries rapidly share dangerous pathogens for public health surveillance and pharmaceutical research and development, and that pandemic responses ((vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments) are equitably distributed.
This online event brings together experts to assess the state of play, the political dynamics and identify the limits of the future PABS ( PABS (Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing) system in order to prevent the inequities witnessed among others during COVID-19. We will also discuss how civil society can monitor, engage, and apply pressure during this critical final stretch of negotiations and beyond. Join us to understand what is at stake—and how we can help ensure real global equity rather than a voluntary system dependent on industry goodwill.
Speakers:
- Julia Stoffner, Brot für die Welt
- Priti Patnaik, Geneva Health Files
- Dr. Pedro Alejandro Villarreal Lizárraga, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
- Felix Litschauer, medico international
- Moderator: Karolin Seitz, Global Policy Forum Europe (GPFE)
