Health policy
U.S. objections leave U.N. pandemic preparedness declaration unresolved
U.N. members could not agree on a draft declaration to strengthen pandemic preparedness, after objections including from the U.S.
Countries did not reach consensus Friday on a draft declaration intended to conclude a U.N. General Assembly meeting on pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman said members would consider the document in the future. It calls for more financing, stronger laboratory capacity and increased access to medicines and vaccines.
The U.S. objected to references to “divisive ideologies” and to a proposed arrangement for countries to share virus samples in exchange for tests, medicines and vaccines. The European Union said the declaration did not do enough on financing accountability and efficiency, while Germany called for more focus on prevention. South Korea, Cape Verde and Guatemala supported the document, as did a group of African nations and a Caribbean countries’ association.
