The following statements were delivered on the closing day of IGWG3, the first text-based negotiation round of the PABS Annex.
Full joint statement
On behalf of Pandemic Action Network, FOUR PAWS, the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention, and Spark Street Advisors, we recognise the good progress on negotiating a PABS annex this week. More, focussed work is needed, and we urge negotiators to tackle complex issues during the intersessional period, including on the transparency of negotiations.
We are deeply disappointed that the pilot proposed during IGWG2 to allow Relevant Stakeholders observer access to formal sessions of IGWG3 was not confirmed this week, nor actioned in any way. Across numerous international processes, observer participation in formal sessions has become standard practice. These arrangements reflect a shared understanding that openness and inclusivity strengthen the legitimacy, accountability, and credibility of intergovernmental negotiations. Allowing observers to follow formal sessions would also ease engagement and level the information baseline for all participants.
Greater openness will enhance the quality and efficiency of outcomes, while also strengthening the IGWG’s legitimacy and that of the PABS System it will establish. Increased access to expertise on these complex issues will help improve the technical foundations of the draft, help foster greater trust in the process, and catalyse discussions with the addition of relevant and helpful information. We hope that Member States will reconsider this proposal without delay, and take action to cement a truly whole-of-society approach.
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Oral statement delivered by Rafael García, Pandemic Action Network, in the negotiating room with additional comment from PAN.
“On behalf of Pandemic Action Network, Four Paws, the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention and Spark Street Advisers, we recognise the good progress on negotiating a PABS annex this week.
We are however, deeply disappointed that the pilot proposed during IGWG2 to allow Relevant Stakeholders observer access to formal sessions of IGWG3 was not confirmed this week, nor actioned in any way. Across numerous international processes, observer participation in formal sessions has become standard practice. These arrangements reflect a shared understanding that openness and inclusivity strengthen the legitimacy, accountability, and credibility of intergovernmental negotiations. Allowing observers to follow formal sessions would also ease engagement and level the information baseline for all participants.
Greater openness will enhance the quality and efficiency of outcomes, while also strengthening the IGWG’s legitimacy. We hope that Member States will reconsider this proposal without delay, and take action to cement a truly whole-of-society approach.
We will publish our full statement online.
Now, as PAN, we would like to underline the importance of this multilateral process and of investing in a system that can last, of countries pulling together.
The origin story of these negotiations got us here: Every country fighting for themselves became a race to the bottom – and those that suffered were the most vulnerable.
We are making a plea for every country negotiating to work for a resilient, equitable long-term PABS system and to resist efforts to undermine the process. We also call on high-income countries in particular to play their full part in getting to compromise.
The status quo does not work. Now is the time to stick together – we cannot afford not to. Thank you.”
