PANDEMIC AGREEMENT: AIDS Healthcare Foundation Nigeria Intensify Demand for Equity Deal

By Praise Chinecherem

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has appealed to World Health Organization (WHO) member states to take decisive action and finalize a strong, legally binding Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

The group made the appeal ahead of the resumed sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (Part B), holding in Geneva later this month, which is widely seen as the final opportunity to secure consensus before the World Health Assembly convenes in May.

The group noted that though the WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025, it remains incomplete without the PABS Annex.

According to AHF Nigeria, “this critical component governs how pathogen samples and genetic sequence data are shared globally, and—just as importantly—how the benefits derived from them, including vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, are distributed. Without it, the agreement cannot move forward.

“The stakes are high as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequities in global health systems, where many low- and middle-income countries were left without timely access to lifesaving tools.”

It warned that without a robust and enforceable PABS Annex, the world risks repeating these failures.

“The outcome of the upcoming negotiations will determine whether future pandemic responses—including Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEICs) and even interpandemic periods—are guided by fairness and cooperation or continue to be marked by exclusion and inequality.

Uncompromising principles
It urged countries to adopt clear and uncompromising principles that promote equity.

“The PABS Annex must be binding and enforceable, ensuring that benefit-sharing obligations apply across all phases—not only during pandemics, but also during PHEICs and periods of preparedness,” ite added.

The group also called for upfront mandatory and clearly defined benefit-sharing including setting aside a percentage of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for equitable distribution.

Other benefits include: establishing pre-negotiated licenses and technology transfer agreements; requiring annual financial contributions from manufacturers; and ensuring public access to non-commercial outputs.

“These obligations must not be deferred to opaque, bilateral negotiations. Standardized contracts are essential.

“Countries must agree in advance on key contractual provisions to ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability. Without this, enforcement becomes weak and inconsistent.

AHF-Nigeria opposed anonymous access to the system noting that mandatory user registration and traceability mechanisms must be enforced to prevent exploitation and safeguard biosecurity.

“Countries must reject any dual-track or “hybrid” systems that separate access to pathogen data from benefit-sharing obligations. Such models create loopholes and weaken the integrity of the entire framework.

The group also stressed the need for intellectual property rules to prioritize public health. “Non-commercial use of shared materials should not lead to monopolies.

“Where commercial products are developed, licensing agreements must allow the WHO to sublicense technologies—particularly to manufacturers in developing regions.

In alliance with other partners – civil society groups, health unions, and networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, it advocated for a fair and accountable system.

“The message is clear: cooperation must replace extraction. Those who benefit from shared global resources must also contribute meaningfully and transparently.

“A strong PABS Annex will not only strengthen pandemic preparedness but also ensure that no country is left behind when the next crisis emerges.

“The world cannot afford another failure,” it warned.

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