New York, Oct. 13 -- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with 153 countries voting in favour, three against and two abstaining, after objections from the United States and a few other countries prevented the text from being approved by consensus.

Argentina, Israel and the United States voted against the declaration, while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.

The text was initially due to be approved by consensus at a high-level meeting on September 25. However, objections from the United States and a few other states blocked the move, pushing the issue back to the General Assembly for a vote.

The political declaration adopted on Monday, which is no...