BRICS Countries Unite to Share Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex, but US Withdrawal Raises Concerns

The New Delhi Declaration: A Call

for Constructive Engagement in Global Health Initiatives

The 18th BRICS summit has adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which calls for constructive engagement in the negotiations for the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the WHO pandemic agreement. The declaration reaffirms the sovereign rights of States over their biological resources as well as the sovereign right to legislate and implement laws, including national access and benefit-sharing legislation.

This is a significant development considering the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this year. The New Delhi Declaration also emphasizes the importance of multilateral cooperation in health, highlighting the vital coordinating role of the WHO.

"We welcome the deepening of cooperation in global health initiatives and reaffirm our commitment to advancing universal health coverage through resilient, inclusive, and people-centred approaches," the declaration states.

The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex is a crucial component of the WHO pandemic agreement, which aims to enhance global health security through resilient surveillance systems, effective early warning mechanisms, and strengthened preparedness and response capacities. However, countries are yet to agree on whether the sharing of pathogen samples should be linked mandatorily with the sharing of benefits developed.

The mandatory sharing of pathogens, their genetic sequences, and other data would take away the power of individual countries to negotiate the sharing of such resources. "We underscore the importance of enhancing global health security through resilient surveillance systems, effective early warning mechanisms, and strengthened preparedness and response capacities," the declaration states.

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The New Delhi Declaration also pushes for coordinated surveillance, information sharing, and collective action on public health emergencies. The BRICS countries have committed to collaborate, share technology, and research together to end tuberculosis.

Furthermore, the declaration welcomes the establishment of a dedicated Sub-Working Group to advance the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for the prevention and response to Mass Infectious Diseases. This initiative aims to enhance global health security The New Delhi Declaration is a significant step towards strengthening global health cooperation and advancing universal health coverage.

The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing

Annex: A Roadmap for Sharing of Dangerous Pathogens

The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex is a critical component of the WHO pandemic agreement, which aims to create a roadmap for sharing of dangerous pathogens and medicines, diagnostics, or vaccines developed. The annex will essentially outline the framework for sharing pathogen samples, their genetic sequences, and other data.

However, countries are yet to agree on whether the sharing of pathogen samples should be linked mandatorily with the sharing of benefits developed.

The mandatory sharing of pathogens, their genetic sequences, and other data would take away the power of individual countries to negotiate the sharing of such resources. "We welcome the deepening of cooperation in global health initiatives and reaffirm our commitment to advancing universal health coverage through resilient, inclusive, and people-centred approaches," the declaration states.

This is a significant consideration considering the United States' withdrawal from the WHO earlier this year.

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The PABS Annex will create a framework for sharing pathogen samples, their genetic sequences, and other data. However, countries are yet to agree on whether the sharing of pathogen samples should be linked mandatorily with the sharing of benefits developed.

The mandatory sharing of pathogens, their genetic sequences, and other data would take away the power of individual countries to negotiate the sharing of such resources.

Collaboration and Collective Action: A Step Towards Ending Tuberculosis

The New Delhi Declaration also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing global health challenges. The BRICS countries have committed to collaborate, share technology, and research together to end tuberculosis. This initiative aims to promote universal access to effective treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis.

The declaration also highlights the importance of coordinated surveillance, information sharing, and collective action on public health emergencies. "Acknowledging that infectious disease outbreaks, zoonotic threats, antimicrobial resistance and other public health emergencies transcend national borders … we underscore the importance of enhancing global health security through resilient surveillance systems, effective early warning mechanisms, and strengthened preparedness and response capacities," the declaration states.

The BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for the prevention and response to Mass Infectious Diseases aims to enhance global health security The New Delhi Declaration is a significant step towards strengthening global health cooperation and advancing universal health coverage.