UN Adopts Pandemic Declaration; Israel, US, Argentina Vote Against
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response with 153 votes in favor. The United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against the non-binding resolution, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained. The declaration calls for improved global health surveillance, equitable access to medical countermeasures, and pathogen sharing, but faced objections over its wording and proposed mechanisms.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The UN General Assembly adopted a pandemic preparedness declaration with 153 votes in favor.
- Israel, the United States, and Argentina voted against the UN's pandemic declaration.
- New Zealand and Paraguay abstained from the vote on the pandemic declaration.
- The declaration calls for enhanced global health surveillance and equitable access to medical supplies.
- Objections from the U.S. reportedly delayed the adoption of the declaration.
- The adopted UN declaration on pandemic preparedness is non-binding.
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a political declaration aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to future infectious disease outbreaks. The resolution, titled "Preventing Pandemics, Preparedness and Response," passed with 153 member states voting in favor. However, the United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against the declaration, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.
The declaration calls for enhanced epidemiological surveillance, early outbreak detection, and data sharing. It also emphasizes strengthening national health systems, improving pandemic preparedness, and establishing a mechanism for sharing pathogens and ensuring equitable access to resulting benefits, including vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The text further promotes regional production of medical supplies, scientific research, and sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness, advocating for a "One Health" approach that links human, animal, and environmental health.
The adoption followed a delay from a planned high-level meeting on September 25, reportedly due to objections, primarily from the U.S. The U.S. delegation stated disagreement with "ideologically controversial" phrasing lacking universally accepted definitions. Concerns were also raised regarding ongoing negotiations on a pathogen-sharing mechanism, which involves exchanging samples of dangerous pathogens and genetic data, alongside equitable access to derived medical products.
New Zealand, in abstaining, highlighted the importance of maintaining state sovereignty in health matters. The adopted declaration is non-binding and serves as a set of recommendations for member states.