US and EU Reject UN Declaration on Future Pandemic Preparedness

New York, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : The United States and the European Union have rejected a United Nations declaration intended to strengthen global cooperation for addressing future pandemics. This decision came during a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly focused on pandemic prevention and response held in New York.

While India and Germany expressed concerns over certain sections of the document, they did not oppose it outright. Reports indicate that Italy also clearly rejected the declaration.

The declaration is not legally binding, meaning it does not compel governments to take specific actions during health crises or pandemics.

According to reports, India and Germany raised objections to some parts of the declaration, but details on India’s specific concerns were not disclosed. The document is expected to be sent back to the UN General Assembly for further consideration.

The US stated that despite several negotiations, the declaration still contains language that is unacceptable to them. Erica Schwartz, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noted that the document includes “contentious ideas that lack a common definition.”

The New York Times reported that the US is not in a position to support the entire document, as the Trump administration had previously demanded changes during discussions.

Earlier drafts of the declaration included topics such as equity, solidarity, sexual and reproductive health services, gender equality, vaccine access, and international funding—issues that Washington sought to remove.

The EU raised different concerns, primarily related to intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and proposed economic contributions for pandemic preparedness. In an official statement, the EU emphasized that technology transfer should occur voluntarily and under mutually agreed conditions. They also insisted that references to the World Trade Organization’s intellectual property agreement and the Doha Declaration should accurately reflect their original meanings. However, the EU acknowledged that the declaration contains several useful elements.

These include plans for pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, timely detection of outbreaks, vaccination strategies, the role of healthcare workers, and a “One Health” approach that connects human, animal, and environmental health.

Despite this, the EU stated that the document does not fully meet their expectations, highlighting issues they consider “clear red lines.” The EU also expressed concerns over the historical underfunding for pandemic preparedness and the lack of a global framework to monitor spending in this area.

The declaration calls for stronger laboratories, timely warning systems, and improved coordination during emergencies. It also aims to ensure better access to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tools.

Additionally, the declaration promotes enhancing the capacity of different countries and regions to produce essential medical supplies, ensuring that necessary products are available within the first 100 days of a pandemic threat.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that more steps and investments are needed to prepare for future pandemics. He stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated vulnerabilities in global health security, teaching the world many painful lessons.”