The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a “political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.”

The declaration was approved in a 153-3 vote, with the United States, Argentina, and Israel voting against.

Paraguay and New Zealand abstained.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes today’s adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of the Political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR),” the World Health Organization (WHO) stated.

“The Declaration provides a strong reaffirmation of the global solidarity and commitment needed to protect future generations from the devastating impacts of pandemics,” it added.

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UN News shared further:

The text was due to be approved by consensus at a high-level meeting on 25 September.

Objections from the United States and a few other States blocked that, pushing the issue back to the assembly.

Chile’s representative summed up one prevailing view, saying that “no country, no matter how big it might be or how prepared it might be, can alone address a threat that knows no borders.”

The declaration is political and non-binding. It calls for stronger national, regional and international cooperation, guided by science, equity and respect for human rights, and it welcomes last year’s landmark adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement.

“WHO welcomes this strong commitment by UN Member States to continue working together on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response,” said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“The world has come a long way since COVID-19. We urge countries to now fulfil the commitments they have made – especially to finalize negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) annex, so the WHO Pandemic Agreement can be opened for signature, begin the process of ratification and enter into force as international law.”

The agreement cannot be opened for signature until Member States complete the annex on pathogen access and benefit-sharing – the system by which countries would share samples and genetic data.

Those that do so would receive a share of any resulting vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.

Talks have stalled amid a standoff between developing countries and some high-income European nations together with the US.

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The World Health Assembly – comprising the WHO’s 194 members – is due to return to the annex next May.

The US representative had previously cited “divisive ideologies that lack definitional consensus” as well as the declaration’s references to the continuing annex negotiations.

“@WHO welcomes the adoption of the #UNGA Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, and commends co-facilitators Armenia and Rwanda for their leadership in building consensus,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

“This important milestone reflects a shared commitment to equity, global solidarity and collective action to make the world safer from future pandemics. We also welcome the ambition to successfully conclude negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex,” he added.

More from the WHO:

The Declaration underscores the need for a holistic approach that treats pandemic preparedness as a health issue, development, economic and security imperative requiring coordinated action across sectors.

Members States particularly highlighted the urgent need to conclude negotiations on the PABS Annex as a key component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The outcome of the PABS negotiations will be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027 or earlier through a special session of the Assembly. Its adoption would enable the Pandemic Agreement to enter into force and help deliver a more equitable, coordinated and effective global response to future pandemic threats.

The UNGA Political Declaration sets out a clear agenda to strengthen global health security. Key priorities include enhancing monitoring systems, investing in national capacities, and implementing the amended International Health Regulations (2005). The Declaration also calls for empowering communities, ensuring timely access to pathogens and equitable benefit-sharing, expanding local and regional manufacturing and research and development capacity, and securing sustainable financing. These actions combined will inevitably bolster international cooperation and result in greater solidarity and equity.

Read the full declaration HERE.

 

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