MSF welcomes the initiation of text-based negotiations at IGWG.
The PABS Annex must include enforceable obligations to guarantee access to health products for countries and communities affected by outbreaks, including those living in humanitarian settings. Access to PABS Materials and Sequence Information should follow the standard agreements between participants in the PABS System and WHO, with binding terms and conditions specifying benefit-sharing obligations from the beginning. Access and benefit-sharing should be treated on equal footing, with benefit-sharing obligations made mandatory. Negotiations on the Annex must preserve ambition and uphold the main agreement’s provisions.
A strong PABS System should support the implementation of the Pandemic Agreement by requesting developers to ensure equitable distribution of health products, enabling WHO-coordinated stockpiling and allocation of health products during PHEIC and pandemic emergencies to meet health needs in humanitarian contexts, and promoting technology transfer and non-exclusive licensing. These measures could effectively strengthen the overall framework for equity.
We also support full transparency in the operation of the PABS system, including WHO public disclosure of recipients of PABS Materials and Sequence Information, agreements concluded with manufacturers and other participants, and allocation decisions. States should provide public access to regulatory approval information of VTDs developed through the participation in PABS.
MSF stands ready to support the negotiations and calls the IGWG Bureau and Member States to communicate the daily progress of the negotiations.
