Africa: The Pandemic Agreement Is Signed – Will It Deliver Justice for Africa?

The final Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) negotiations must be the true test of global equity in health.

Sometimes, it is not immediately obvious that history is being made, but this time, it was. Amid enthusiastic applause, the new Pandemic Agreement, a legal instrument, was finally adopted by 194 Member States on 20th May 2025, at the 78th World Health Assembly.

It has been a demanding three-year journey, filled with late nights and tough negotiations. The process began in March 2021,…