Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Negotiations on an Annex to the Pandemic Agreement on a new Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system

22 October 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care

Proposed by Zubir Ahmed Lab Glasgow South West

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • Zubir Ahmed updates Parliament on the progress of negotiations for a new Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system as part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
  • The Member State-led Intergovernmental Working Group will hold formal negotiations in November and regular meetings until May 2026.
  • The results of the negotiations will be reported at the next World Health Assembly in May 2026.

Issue summary

Zubir Ahmed updates the UK Parliament on the progress of negotiations to develop a new Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system as an Annex to the World Health Organization's Pandemic Agreement.

Action requested

The Member State-led Intergovernmental Working Group will continue formal negotiations in November, with regular meetings until May 2026. The outcome of these negotiations will be reported at the next World Health Assembly in May 2026.

Key facts

  • A new PABS system is being developed to provide life sciences companies faster access to pathogens for vaccine creation.
  • The UK and Brazil co-chair the Bureau overseeing the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).
  • Formal negotiations will continue with a meeting in November, followed by regular meetings until May 2026.
  • Member States agreed to report on negotiation outcomes at the next World Health Assembly in May 2026.
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