NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 13 — The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a political declaration calling for stronger global cooperation to prevent and respond to future pandemics, with the United States, Israel and Argentina voting against the text. Breaking It Down The declaration received 153 votes in favour, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained, according to the reported voting record. Rwanda, which co-facilitated the intergovernmental
10/13/26 • 64
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 13 — The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a political declaration calling for stronger global cooperation to prevent and respond to future pandemics, with the United States, Israel and Argentina voting against the text.
📻 Breaking It Down
The declaration received 153 votes in favour, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained, according to the reported voting record.
Rwanda, which co-facilitated the intergovernmental negotiations alongside Armenia, welcomed the adoption, describing it as an important step towards building a more resilient global health system capable of protecting lives from future pandemics.
In a statement, Rwanda’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said the country was proud to have worked with Armenia to facilitate the negotiations.
📌 What You Need to Know
“Rwanda is proud to have co-facilitated the intergovernmental negotiations alongside Armenia and welcomes today’s adoption as an important step towards building a more resilient global health architecture, better equipped to protect lives from the threat of pandemics,” the Mission said.
The declaration seeks to strengthen disease surveillance, improve emergency preparedness, expand access to vaccines and treatments, and mobilize sustainable financing to help countries respond to future health emergencies.
Its adoption followed disagreements that prevented the text from being approved by consensus at a high-level meeting on September 25, pushing the matter back to the General Assembly for consideration.
The declaration acknowledges that the world remains insufficiently prepared for future pandemics despite lessons learned from COVID-19 and other health emergencies.
It calls for coordinated action guided by scientific evidence, equity, respect for human rights and international solidarity.
It recognises that countries retain primary responsibility for the health and well-being of their populations but emphasises the need for regional and international cooperation to address infectious diseases that cross national borders.
📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya
