United States blocks UN pandemic preparedness declaration

The United States said it could not support a nonbinding United Nations declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, blocking its adoption by consensus, The Guardian reported. The declaration was scheduled for consideration after a high-level meeting on 25 September and called for countries to cooperate against global health threats.

CDC director Erica Schwartz said unresolved issues included what she called divisive ideologies and references to WHO-led negotiations on sharing vaccines and drugs. Italy also rejected the text, while the EU raised objections to passages on intellectual property and technology transfer, according to The Guardian. The declaration may still be considered at a later UN general assembly meeting, where it could be adopted by majority vote rather than consensus.