Pathogen Data Access Not Assured Without Agreed Benefits: Emerging Position from Some Developing Countries [Update: Pandemic Agreement Talks]

Newsletter Edition #107 [Treaty Talks]

Hi,

In today’s edition we piece together the moving parts in the negotiations on the Pathogen Access Benefits Sharing Mechanism under the aegis of the Pandemic Agreement discussions ongoing in Geneva.

Often described as the heart of the Pandemic Agreement, the discussions are now maturing into the next phase, making it a high stakes period for WHO member states.

Read on, where we bring you behind-the-scenes dynamics in these closed door discussions.

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Until later.

Best,

Priti

Feel free to write to us: patnaik.reporting@gmail.com. Follow us on X: @filesgeneva

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Illustration Credit: Amy Clarke, Chembe Collaborative

I. UPDATE FROM INB11

Pathogen Data Access Not Assured Without Agreed Benefits: Emerging Position from Some Developing Countries

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Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing [PABS], the elusive crown jewel in a new Pandemic Agreement has dominated these talks for more than a year.

But it was not until early 2024, that the mechanism - initially a proposal from the Africa Group and other developing countries - got serious traction by a growing number of countries, and began to be considered in the right earnest when it came to be seen as a commercial opportunity, on the back of greater legal certainty to devise the first ever multilateral system in global health to share pathogen information.

The allure of the PABS mechanism has most countries hooked but for different reasons. Rising interest from the industry makes it almost irresistible. But the entire edifice could come crumbling even before the foundations have been laid.

In this story we capture the prevailing dynamics in these highly sensitive and political negotiations that could have a wider impact on the Pandemic Agreement itself. There are technical questions that divide countries, there are process concerns that suggest it is a contested and unequal playing field. Both these elements could shape or threaten these negotiations.

Image Credit: Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata, Pexels