Foundation Urges Countries To Finalise Pandemic Equity Deal

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Nigeria has called on member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to conclude negotiations on a key global pandemic framework, warning that failure to act could deepen global health inequities.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP by its senior advocacy and marketing manager, Steve Aborisade, the organisation stressed the need to finalise a binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex ahead of the resumed sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group scheduled to hold in Geneva from 27th April to 1st May.

The foundation noted that while the WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025, its implementation remains incomplete without the PABS Annex, which is designed to regulate the sharing of pathogen samples and genetic data globally, as well as the distribution of benefits such as vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.

The group described the upcoming meeting as a “last opportunity” to secure a fair and enforceable framework before the World Health Assembly in May.

According to AHF, the absence of strong agreement risks a repeat of the inequalities witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many developing countries lacked timely access to lifesaving medical tools.

“The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether future global health emergencies are managed through cooperation and equity or marked by exclusion and delay,” the statement said.

The organisation outlined key demands for member states, including the adoption of a legally binding benefit-sharing system that guarantees equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics during pandemics, public health emergencies, and non-crisis periods.

It also called for mandatory obligations on pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders, including pre-agreed licensing arrangements, technology transfer, and annual financial contributions to support global health systems.

AHF emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability, urging countries to adopt standardised contracts, enforce user registration, and ensure traceability in the use of pathogen data to prevent exploitation.

The group further warned against adopting a “dual-track” system that separates access to pathogens from benefit-sharing, noting that such an approach could create loopholes and undermine the agreement’s effectiveness.

On intellectual property, AHF advocated a public health-driven approach, insisting that patents and licensing arrangements should not hinder equitable access, particularly for developing countries.

The organisation recalled that it had previously joined other civil society groups, including Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and Joint Health Sector Unions, to push for binding equity provisions in global health agreements.

It stressed that any system that allows the extraction of pathogen materials from developing countries without fair benefit-sharing would be unjust and unsustainable.

AHF concluded that the Geneva negotiations represent a critical moment for global health governance, urging countries to prioritise equity and cooperation in building a system that protects all nations, especially those in the Global South.