The assembly adopted the non-binding declaration by 153 votes in favor, with the United States, Israel, and Argentina voting against; New Zealand and Paraguay abstained. The text pushes for global cooperation on science-driven prevention, equity, and human rights, building on last year’s WHO Pandemic Agreement while stressing investments to close gaps like the $15 billion annual financing shortfall exposed by COVID-19.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus praised the commitment, though critics worry about provisions like
rapid vaccine development and misinformation controls potentially risking
sovereignty and consent.