NEW DELHI: India has called for a global system that ensures countries sharing pathogens and biological resources during a health emergency also get timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, medicines and technologies developed from them.The demand was made at the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York, where India stressed that the credibility of the WHO Pandemic Agreement would depend on a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system.Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said countries contributing pathogens should receive the benefits arising from their use, while respecting national sovereignty. She also said ongoing negotiations on the PABS system should not be prejudged and that implementation should take into account national circumstances and capacities.Drawing on its experience during Covid-19, India also called for digital public infrastructure to be recognised as a global public good, citing its role in disease surveillance, vaccination, risk communication, supply chains and continuity of health services during the pandemic.India highlighted its contribution during Covid, saying it supplied 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities, besides providing medical assistance to more than 150 countries.At the meeting, India also outlined measures to strengthen pandemic preparedness, including expanding laboratory networks, emergency coordination, the health workforce, stockpiles and clinical care capacity.
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The WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted in May 2025, is aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for urgent completion of negotiations on the PABS system, saying delays could affect the world’s ability to respond to future pandemics.India stressed that pandemic preparedness must remain rooted in national health systems and domestic financing, with international assistance complementing national efforts. It also called for equity and global solidarity to remain central to preparations for future outbreaks.