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U.S. rejects U.N. declaration on preparing for future pandemics

scienceSep 26, 20269119

At a U.N. meeting, the United States formally opposed a political declaration on preparing for future pandemics, while most member states spoke in support. The European Union also rejected the text, with EU delegates saying it crossed “red lines” on intellectual property protections and that technology transfer must be voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. Objections from the U.S. and other wealthy governments focused on provisions they viewed as requiring forced technology transfers and automatic sharing of virus samples in exchange for vaccine access. Developing nations backed the declaration as written, arguing it would promote health equity. Delegates noted the declaration was not legally binding and did not set specific rules, but opponents said those provisions would create undesirable precedents for compulsory access to medical technology.

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