{"id":549,"date":"2026-10-13T23:03:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T23:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/un-general-assembly-adopts-pandemic-declaration-urges-stronger-global-cooperation\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T23:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T23:03:29","slug":"un-general-assembly-adopts-pandemic-declaration-urges-stronger-global-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/un-general-assembly-adopts-pandemic-declaration-urges-stronger-global-cooperation\/","title":{"rendered":"UN General Assembly adopts pandemic declaration, urges stronger global cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, reaffirming the need for stronger international cooperation and sustained investment to protect the world against future pandemics.<\/p>\n

The declaration was adopted on Tuesday following a vote in which 153 countries voted in favour, three against and two abstentions, according to the voting record provided.<\/p>\n

The United States, Israel and Argentina voted against the declaration, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.<\/p>\n

The declaration outlines measures to strengthen disease surveillance, improve national health systems and ensure equitable access to vaccines, treatments and other essential medical products during health emergencies.<\/p>\n

It also calls on countries to strengthen their preparedness and response capacities, particularly in addressing weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

WHO welcomes declaration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed the adoption, describing it as a renewed commitment by countries to work together to prevent and respond to future pandemics.<\/p>\n

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WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus urged member states to translate their commitments into action, particularly by concluding negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWHO welcomes this strong commitment by UN Member States to continue working together on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Ghebreyesus said concluding negotiations on the PABS annex would be an important step towards opening the Pandemic Agreement for signature, followed by ratification and its eventual entry into force.<\/p>\n

The declaration was considered by member states at the second UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on 25 September 2026 before being referred to the full General Assembly for adoption.<\/p>\n

Priorities for pandemic preparedness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The declaration calls for sustained investment in national, regional and global capacities to prevent, detect and respond to emerging pandemic threats.<\/p>\n

It also frames pandemic preparedness as a development, economic and security priority that requires coordinated action beyond the health sector.<\/p>\n

Among its priorities are stronger disease surveillance and monitoring systems, improved national preparedness capacities and implementation of the amended International Health Regulations (2005).<\/p>\n

The declaration further calls for greater community participation, equitable access to pathogens and benefit-sharing arrangements, expanded local and regional manufacturing capacity, increased investment in research and development, and sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness and response.<\/p>\n

These measures are intended to help countries identify emerging threats earlier, respond more effectively to outbreaks and improve the availability of essential health products during emergencies.<\/p>\n

The emphasis on equitable access also reflects concerns about disparities in the availability of vaccines, treatments and other medical countermeasures during global health emergencies.<\/p>\n

Pandemic Agreement negotiations remain crucial<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The declaration identifies the conclusion of negotiations on the PABS annex as an urgent priority for member states.<\/p>\n

The outcome of the negotiations is expected<\/a><\/strong> to be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027, or earlier through a special session.<\/p>\n

Concluding and adopting the annex would clear a key outstanding hurdle in the process towards the Pandemic Agreement\u2019s entry into force.<\/p>\n

The agreement is intended to strengthen international cooperation in preventing and responding to future pandemics, including through improved coordination and arrangements for sharing the benefits derived from access to pathogens.<\/p>\n

WHO said the declaration provides a framework for strengthening global health security through collective action, solidarity and equity.<\/p>\n

However, its impact will depend on countries translating their political commitments into practical action through adequate financing, stronger health systems and sustained cooperation at national, regional and international levels.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:\u00a0Nigeria elected to UN Human Rights Council<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in global health systems, including inadequate disease surveillance, limited emergency preparedness and unequal access to essential medical products.<\/p>\n

Many countries, particularly those with limited manufacturing capacity, experienced difficulties obtaining vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

These challenges prompted renewed international efforts to strengthen health security and establish mechanisms for more coordinated responses to future outbreaks.<\/p>\n

The WHO Pandemic Agreement was developed as part of these efforts, with a focus on international cooperation, equity and improved preparedness.<\/p>\n

Although the newly adopted UN declaration reinforces these commitments, it is a political declaration rather than a legally binding agreement.<\/p>\n

Its effectiveness will therefore depend on the steps taken by member states to fulfil their commitments, including increased financing, stronger health systems and sustained international cooperation.<\/p>\n

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