UN General Assembly adopts political declaration to enhance pandemic prevention and preparedness

New York, October 13 (KUNA) -- The United Nations General Assembly, by majority vote, adopted the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, aiming to strengthen international cooperation and health capacities to confront future pandemics and mitigate their impacts. On Monday evening, the declaration received the support of 153 countries, while the United States, Argentina, and the occupied Israeli entity voted against it. New Zealand and Paraguay abstained from voting.

The declaration expressed concern that “the world is still not sufficiently prepared to face future pandemics.” It emphasized the need to enhance health capacities, international cooperation, and solidarity to ensure a rapid, evidence-based response that upholds the principles of equity and human rights. It also stressed the importance of addressing disparities in access to health products, including vaccines, strengthening health systems and their emergency response capabilities, with particular attention to supporting developing countries in building their capacities and transferring technology.

The declaration affirmed the necessity of enhancing the exchange of scientific information and materials related to pathogens, ensuring fair benefit-sharing, and respecting the sovereign rights of states over their biological resources. It called for guaranteeing universal access to essential health services, including mental health services, routine immunization, and reproductive health, while involving women, youth, persons with disabilities, and older persons in the planning and response to health emergencies.

The declaration noted the adoption of the World Health Organization’s agreement on pandemics and the 2023 Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, within the framework of international efforts to strengthen health emergency preparedness. It highlighted the importance of addressing disruptions to education systems caused by pandemics, minimizing learning loss, combating misinformation, and enhancing trust in accurate scientific information. It reaffirmed the need to draw lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to reduce the health, economic, and social impacts of future pandemics. (End) W.S.T.