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UN pandemic declaration adopted 153-3 as US, Israel, Argentina vote against

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The UN pandemic declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on Monday by 153 votes to 3, with Argentina, Israel and the United States against, UN News reported. New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.

UN pandemic declaration: File photo: a WHO-supported laboratory during an outbreak response in DR Congo
File photo: a WHO-supported laboratory during an outbreak response in DR Congo Photo: © WHO/Josua Mulala Raymond via UN News (editorial use with credit).

Why the UN pandemic declaration went to a General Assembly vote

The text was meant to be approved by consensus at a high-level meeting on 25 September, but objections from the US and a few others blocked that. The declaration is political and non-binding, and calls for stronger cooperation guided by science, equity and human rights. The WHO said it welcomed the adoption.

Key Facts

  • Vote: 153 for, 3 against, 2 abstentions
  • Against: Argentina, Israel, United States
  • Abstained: New Zealand, Paraguay
  • Next step: PABS annex talks at WHA next May

“No country, no matter how big it might be or how prepared it might be, can alone address a threat that knows no borders.”

— Chile's representative at the General Assembly

WHO Pandemic Agreement and the PABS annex

The declaration welcomes last year’s WHO Pandemic Agreement. That treaty cannot open for signature until countries finish an annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, under which samples and genetic data are shared in return for vaccines and treatments. The World Health Assembly returns to it next May.

Tedros urges countries to finish the deal

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the vote a strong commitment. He urged countries to finalise the annex so the agreement can be ratified. On the same day, the WHO launched a five-year plan for its pandemic intelligence hub, aiming to detect new threats within 24 hours.

Why It Matters: The split vote shows pandemic preparedness has become politically divided, which could slow the treaty the world is relying on for the next outbreak.

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Source: UN News · WHO

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