UN General Assembly adopts pandemic declaration, urges stronger global cooperation

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.

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.

The United States, Israel and Argentina voted against the declaration, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.

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.

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

WHO welcomes declaration

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.

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.

“WHO welcomes this strong commitment by UN Member States to continue working together on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response,” he said.

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.

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.

Priorities for pandemic preparedness

The declaration calls for sustained investment in national, regional and global capacities to prevent, detect and respond to emerging pandemic threats.

It also frames pandemic preparedness as a development, economic and security priority that requires coordinated action beyond the health sector.

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

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.

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.

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

Pandemic Agreement negotiations remain crucial

The declaration identifies the conclusion of negotiations on the PABS annex as an urgent priority for member states.

The outcome of the negotiations is expected to be considered at the next World Health Assembly in May 2027, or earlier through a special session.

Concluding and adopting the annex would clear a key outstanding hurdle in the process towards the Pandemic Agreement’s entry into force.

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.

WHO said the declaration provides a framework for strengthening global health security through collective action, solidarity and equity.

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.

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Background

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.

Many countries, particularly those with limited manufacturing capacity, experienced difficulties obtaining vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments during the pandemic.

These challenges prompted renewed international efforts to strengthen health security and establish mechanisms for more coordinated responses to future outbreaks.

The WHO Pandemic Agreement was developed as part of these efforts, with a focus on international cooperation, equity and improved preparedness.

Although the newly adopted UN declaration reinforces these commitments, it is a political declaration rather than a legally binding agreement.

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.