The General Assembly adopted a pandemic declaration, but not by consensus

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

Objections from the United States and several other countries prevented that, pushing the issue back to the assembly.

Read the full political declaration Here.

Chile’s representative summed up one common view, saying that “no country, no matter how large or how prepared it is, can tackle threats that know no national borders alone.”

This declaration is political and non-binding. The conference calls for stronger national, regional and international cooperation, guided by science, equality and respect for human rights, and welcomes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) landmark adoption last year (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 Chairman Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“The world has experienced rapid progress since COVID-19. We urge countries to immediately fulfill the commitments they have made – in particular to complete negotiations on the annex to the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System (PABS), so that the WHO Pandemic Treaty can be opened for signature, begin the ratification process and enter into force as international law.”

Unfinished attachments

This agreement cannot be signed until Member States complete the annexes on pathogen access and benefit sharing – a system under which countries would share genetic samples and data.

Those who do so will receive a share of the resulting vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.

Talks have stalled amid disputes between developing countries and some high-income countries in Europe and the United States.

That World Health Assembly – which consists of 194 WHO members – will be included again in the annex next May.

The US representative previously cited “a divisive ideology that lacks a consensus of definition” as well as the declaration’s reference to ongoing annexation negotiations.

More action in the General Assembly

In addition to adopting a pandemic declaration, the 193-member world body has a number of agenda items on Monday, including consideration of a draft resolution regarding UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise and a political declaration at a high-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of implementing anti-racism Durban Declaration and Program of Action.

Read the summary of the meeting Here.