Story perspectives

WHO Fails to Secure Pathogen-Sharing Annex, Pandemic Risk Looms

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Negotiators failed to lock in the pathogen-access and benefit-sharing annex, leaving implementation uncertain.
WHO Geneva meeting did not secure pathogen-access and benefit-sharing (Pabs) agreement, so the treaty stays inactive.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark called the missed deadline regrettable while the Group for Equity and the Africa Group demand sharing of pathogen samples.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned next pandemic is a matter of when, not if, urging urgent action.

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Story summary

Negotiators failed to lock in the pathogen-access and benefit-sharing annex, leaving implementation uncertain.
WHO Geneva meeting did not secure pathogen-access and benefit-sharing (Pabs) agreement, so the treaty stays inactive.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark called the missed deadline regrettable while the Group for Equity and the Africa Group demand sharing of pathogen samples.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned next pandemic is a matter of when, not if, urging urgent action.