United States Opposes UN Nonbinding Pandemic Preparedness Declaration

The United States, represented by CDC Director Erica Schwartz, formally declined to endorse a nonbinding United Nations declaration that calls for expanded international collaboration on pandemic preparedness. In a speech at a high-level UN meeting, Schwartz said the U.S. The declaration, which is not legally binding, includes language on mainstream gender equality, universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, and an unfinished negotiation on pathogen access and benefit sharing.

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The U.S. stance follows a pattern of opposition to UN political texts that the administration views as exceeding the organization’s proper role. Last year, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rejected a UN declaration on chronic disease and mental health, criticizing its promotion of abortion and “radical gender ideology.” In addition, the administration’s policy enacted last summer bans federal funding for “gain-of-function” research that could increase pathogen virulence, transmissibility, or vaccine resistance—research the administration has linked to the origins of COVID-19.

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Schwartz urged other nations to follow the U.S. lead in prohibiting funding for controversial gain-of-function work, describing it as a “dangerous” area of science. She added that scientific discovery can proceed while protecting public health and national security, and called on member states to join this initiative. The European Union, while also objecting, identified “explicit red lines” in the draft, including obligations on technology transfer and international financing, echoing the U.S. concerns about undefined ideological language.

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• “The United States is not in a position to support this text in full,” — Erica Schwartz, CDC Director

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• “We can advance scientific discovery and medical innovation, while protecting public health and national security, and we encourage all member states to join us in this key initiative,” — Erica Schwartz, CDC Director

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