G2H2 Statements on equity in the PABS Annex to the Pandemic Agreement, IGWG5, 9-14 February 2026 – G2H2

G2H2 Statement on Monday 9 February

G2H2 notes that this IGWG negotiations are central to revamping the spirits of equity, international solidarity and a multilateralism facing headwinds and must draw lessons from the last pandemic.

Thus, we urge you to:
• Maintain broad definitions for PABS materials and sequence information in the current para 1B(b). Participating manufacturers under para 1B(c) should include those who develop VTDs (Vaccine, Therapeutics and Diagnostics), even if they are not manufacturers, to avoid WHO scrambling for VTDs during emergencies.
• Ensure every entity getting access signs transparent contracts which strengthen public oversight without scientific data extractivism.
• Make benefit sharing as envisaged in C.1(c)iii(3) for preventing PHEICs ( public health emergencies of international concern) and pandemics mandatory.
• Establish a WHO-managed data base and also vest WHO with the sole authority of sublicensing all non-exclusive licenses shared as benefits.
• Build on the Nagoya protocol’s pillars as a subsisting foundational international instrument.
• Make the PABS system binding and equally applicable to all Parties to the PA ( Pandemic Agreement), with compulsory mechanisms.

Thank you

G2H2 Statement on Friday 13 February

Distinguished chair,

We identify with issues raised by the African Academy of Science against limiting binding contractual PABS agreements to commercial users.

We urge Member States to appreciate the inequity concerns existing in the academic world, and try to ensure rules and regulations to address these are in place with the use of contractual obligations.
Developing countries researchers and institutions’ rights must be protected to prevent their being made to surrender their autonomy and
authority. Thus, we must ensure every recipient is under contractual obligation to respect those rights.

PABS contracts are instruments to achieve equity with respect to access to VTDS.
They must also aim at entrenching equity within the current biomedical research eco-system that relates to pathogens with pandemic potential. Systemic pandemic preparedness and response require decolonisation of global health, including the PABS system and its
governance.

Thank you