WeeklySA_AdminEQUITY: With final talks underway in Geneva, African health advocates say the future of global pandemic preparedness must reward contribution with access — not inequality…
By Phumela Ngomane
African civil society organisations are stepping forward with a unified and forward-looking message: the future of global health must be built on fairness, partnership and shared benefit.
At a press conference held in Sandton, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) South Africa / Africa Bureau, alongside Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA), the South African National AIDS Council Civil Society Forum, and the Strengthening Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC), positioned the upcoming negotiations as a defining opportunity to build a more inclusive and balanced global health framework.
The World Health Organisation’s Pandemic Agreement, adopted in May 2025, is the subject final talks taking place in Geneva this week. The conference, which started on Monday and ends tomorrow (Saturday), is currently discussing the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system – the last outstanding piece of the agreement.
The agreement remains incomplete until the PABS annex is finalised. This moment represents a critical opportunity to ensure that global cooperation translates into shared and equitable outcomes.
Shared data
Central to discussions is the importance of ensuring that access to pathogen samples and genetic data is matched by clear, fair, and reliable access to the benefits that arise from them—including vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
Africa’s contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the continent’s commitment to global solidarity.
Countries across Africa shared vital data and supported scientific progress. Looking ahead, there is a strong collective vision to ensure that such contributions are met with equitable access and tangible benefits for all.
Advocates emphasised that this is not only about policy—it is about people. A strengthened, equitable system has the power to protect lives, build resilient health systems, and restore trust in global cooperation.
Ruth Dube of SAHTAC, highlighted the importance of inclusive governance: “If Africa contributes data and scientific knowledge, it should also meaningfully shape how those contributions are used. Transparency and accountability are key to ensuring real impact.”
Mfundisi Mabalane of the South African National AIDS Council Civil Society Forum, added that lived experience must guide global commitments: “Communities have seen both the challenges and the possibilities. This moment allows us to build a system that truly reflects their realities and needs.”
Future of global health
The conversation also underscored the significance of this moment for South Africa and the broader African continent. A more equitable global health system can support local manufacturing, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and expand opportunities for young people entering the fields of science, medicine, and public health.
For Africa’s youth, this is a moment of possibility—one where their innovation, talent, and leadership can actively shape the future of global health.
Aggrey Aluso, Executive Director of RANA, noted: “This is about partnership and shared progress. When systems are fair and predictable, countries can plan, invest, and grow stronger together.”
The coalition further called for strengthened collaboration, transparent governance, and practical mechanisms that ensure benefit-sharing is clear, traceable, and impactful.
Dr Nombuso Madonsela, Country Program Director at AHF South Africa, reflected on the broader significance of the negotiations: “We have an opportunity to shape a system that truly works for everyone. Equity must be built into the foundation so that no country or community is left behind.”
As negotiations enter their final phase, Africa’s voice is one of leadership, optimism, and purpose, contributing to a global health future defined by fairness, dignity and shared progress.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organisation providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.8 million people in 50 countries worldwide. It is the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care globally.
The AHF Global Public Health Institute advances evidence-based policy to strengthen global health systems, focusing on equity, governance, and sustainable impact.
