MSF welcomes the important steps taken by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body towards creating a normative framework for ensuring equity in preventing, preparing for and responding to pandemics (PPR), particularly in provisions on international humanitarian law and the needs of health workers and persons living in humanitarian settings; transparency in public procurement; coordination of supply and equitable allocation; and stockpiling of health products.

It is regrettable, however, that consensus could not be reached on many important issues, including global access conditions in public R&D funding; access to end products by communities participating in clinical trials; ensuring transfer of technology and know-how; respecting the use of TRIPS flexibilities, and a new global pathogen access and benefit-sharing mechanism.

We urge governments to continue the negotiation, build on the progress made, and deliver a meaningful outcome that can concretely address inequity in future global health emergencies, which could be just around the corner.