Hi,

Countries resumed discussions on the Pathogen Access Benefit Sharing mechanism at WHO this week. It is getting more interesting, more technical, more difficult and more political.

In this first story on the latest ongoing deliberations, we bring you statements by countries and some stakeholders. We will be following up subsequently with an update, once the meeting concludes later this week.

My colleague Nishant, pulled together key statements from numerous countries made at the beginning of the meeting. These on the record statements - a snapshot of current positions - give you a glimpse of the gulf between countries on some key areas in these negotiations.

Support public interest global health journalism, become a paying subscriber. Tracking global health policy-making in Geneva is tough and expensive. Help us raise important questions, and in keeping an ear to the ground. makes this possible.

Gratitude to our subscribers who help us contribute to greater accountability in global health.

More later.

Best,

Priti

Feel free to write to us: genevahealthfiles@gmail.com; Find us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/genevahealthfiles.bsky.social

I. IGWG UPDATE

At the Threshold of Negotiations, Conceptual Differences Over the Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing System Divide Countries

By Priti Patnaik & Nishant Sirohi

Health diplomats, trade, environment and security experts have gathered in Geneva this week to deliberate on a draft text to negotiate a new Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing (PABS) System at the World Health Organization.

Conceptual differences over approaches to building the PABS system divides developing and developed countries. While key principles of such a system have already been negotiated and agreed in the Pandemic Agreement, countries do not agree on the ways in which these principles can be operationalised to bring such a system into existence.