153 Countries Back UN Pandemic Declaration, But Global Health Leaders Demand Urgent Action
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As the world continues to face threats from Ebola, mpox and bird flu, global health advocates have warned that political promises will not prevent the next pandemic without concrete action, sustained funding and equitable access to medical tools.
The warning followed the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with 153 countries voting in favour, three against and two abstaining on 12 October 2026.
The Friends of the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response welcomed the declaration but said it lacked sufficient measurable and time-bound commitments to ensure countries are ready for future health emergencies.
The group called on governments to translate their commitments into investments, stronger health systems and improved access to vaccines, tests and treatments, ideally within the first 100 days of a pandemic threat.
The declaration also highlights an estimated US$15 billion annual funding gap for pandemic preparedness and stresses the importance of the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations, the Pandemic Agreement and a One Health approach that addresses outbreak risks at their source.
Helen Clark, Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, warned that progress remained too slow, nearly seven years after COVID-19 emerged and devastated lives and economies worldwide.
She urged countries to resolve outstanding negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex by May, warning that further delays would increase collective risks.
The group said it would hold governments accountable as the UN prepares to review progress in about two years, with priorities including bringing the Pandemic Agreement into force, developing multisectoral preparedness plans, securing reliable emergency funding and expanding research, development and manufacturing capacity across all regions.
It stressed that the real test of the declaration would be whether countries deliver measurable progress before the next pandemic strikes.
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