U.S. Blocks UN Pandemic Declaration, Undermining Global Cooperation

At a high-level United Nations meeting, the United States delegate announced that the U.S. was “not in a position” to support the political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, thereby preventing the document from being adopted by consensus. The move also saw Italy reject the text, while the European Union delegate voiced “red-line” concerns over intellectual-property provisions.

The Guardian

The declaration, scheduled for adoption on September 25, was intended to secure a global pledge of solidarity and coordinated action against future health threats. The United Nations political declaration is non-binding but serves as a symbolic commitment. The United States had withdrawn from the World Health Organization shortly after President Donald Trump took office and later expanded a “global gag” rule that restricts U.S. aid recipients from engaging in work related to abortion, diversity, equity, inclusion and “gender ideology.” These policies have been linked to the current dissent.

The Guardian

• dissent “severely weakens” the document.

The Guardian

• Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, called the failure to endorse the negotiated text “disappointing” and argued that collaboration on pandemics “should not be controversial.”

The Guardian

• “It is unacceptable that member states were unable to advance a political declaration at the close of the high level meeting on Friday, and an unfortunate reminder of the continued challenges to drive consensus for the global good in the current geopolitical environment.” — Eloise Todd, the executive director and founder of Resilience Action Network International

The Guardian