Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 15
Brazil, WHO Press G7, G20 and BRICS to Seal Pandemic Annex by July 17
Updated
Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 15
Brazil, WHO Press G7, G20 and BRICS to Seal Pandemic Annex by July 17
3 articles · Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 15
Summary
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on G7, G20 and BRICS leaders to treat July 17 as the deadline to finish the Pandemic Agreement’s pathogen access and benefit-sharing annex.
The PABS annex is the last unresolved piece and the agreement cannot enter into force until it is completed; negotiators are due to meet again from July 6 to 17 after failing to close gaps on May 1.
Their appeal asks leaders to give negotiators political backing, flexibility and an equity-focused mandate so countries that share dangerous pathogens can count on access to resulting vaccines, tests and treatments.
The letter argues sovereignty is protected under Article 22 and frames delay as costly, citing up to 20 million COVID-19 deaths, more than $13 trillion in lost output and a roughly 1-in-4 chance of another pandemic this decade.
After COVID-19's vaccine nationalism, can a new global treaty truly guarantee fair access to lifesaving drugs?
Will the new pandemic treaty's equity rules stifle the private investment needed to stop the next outbreak?
July 17, 2026: The Critical Deadline for a Fair and Effective WHO Pandemic Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System
Overview
The world faces a critical deadline of July 17, 2026, to finalize the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, a key part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Achieving this requires strong political will, with leaders needing to prioritize the annex and empower negotiators to reach consensus. The agreement does not compromise national sovereignty or give the WHO power to impose measures like lockdowns; these decisions remain with each country. Finalizing the PABS annex is essential for global health security, as it will help ensure fair access to vital resources and prepare the world for future pandemics.