The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System is a new global mechanism currently being negotiated under the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Agreement, adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025.

What is the PABS System?

• It is designed as a multilateral, transparent framework to ensure rapid and timely sharing of biological materials and genetic sequence information of pathogens that have pandemic potential, so that researchers and health authorities can quickly develop diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics and other countermeasures.
• The PABS System is being elaborated as an annex to the Pandemic Agreement (Article 12), and its draft text is currently being negotiated by member states.

Structural Framework

• The PABS system is administered under the authority of the World Health Organization, with participation from Member States, research institutions, industry partners, and international health organisations. Its framework consists of two main pillars:
  • Access Component: Facilitates rapid and secure sharing of pathogen samples and related genetic sequence data.
  • Benefit sharing component: Ensures that countries providing pathogen samples receive equitable benefits derived from their use.

Purpose and Rationale

• The goal is to create a predictable and equitable global mechanism so that countries that promptly share pathogen information are not left behind when vaccines, drugs or diagnostics are developed.

Source: Down To Earth