US response to UN pandemic talks ‘severely weakens’ global planning, says leading health expert

The US says it is unable to support a major global text on pandemic prevention and preparedness put forward at UN general assembly

The United States government's decision to block a major global declaration on pandemic preparedness severely weakens" the effort, and signals intent to disrupt international cooperation, says Prof Lawrence Gostin, a leading expert on global health law from Georgetown University.

The United Nations general assembly had been due to adopt a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on 25 September after a high-level meeting on the subject.