WHO pandemic treaty PABS annex talks

WHO member states began another round of negotiations on July 6, 2026, to finalize the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex of the pandemic treaty, which was adopted in May 2025 but left incomplete. The talks, lasting until July 17, are the seventh round, with progress slow due to disagreements between wealthy and developing nations. The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with over 1,500 cases and 500 deaths, has added urgency. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to reach an agreement, warning that every month without the annex leaves the world less prepared for future pandemics. Key positions include developing countries demanding equitable benefit-sharing, while the European Union emphasizes innovation and private sector participation. The treaty aims to improve global pandemic response after COVID-19.