A/79/PV.19 General Assembly

The positions of delegations regarding the recommendation of the Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. Therefore, if there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, may I take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the report of the Committee which is before the Assembly today?

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. May I remind members that, in accordance with decision 34/401, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in the plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee, and that explanations of votes are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendation contained in the report of the Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take a decision in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. I now give the floor to the represenative of Afghanistan.

My delegation wishes to place on the record our vigorous disapproval and deep disappointment regarding the action on draft resolution Despite the compelling justifications we have provided, grounded in the harsh realities faced by Afghanistan, our pleas have unfortunately been disregarded. The Committee on Contributions’ failure to reinstate Afghanistan’s right to vote and grant an exemption under Article 19 is both deeply concerning and disheartening for my country. We recognize the importance of Member States fulfilling their financial obligations to the United Nations. However, Afghanistan is currently enduring extraordinary political, social and economic challenges that severely limit our capacity to meet these obligations. These challenges largely stem from the Taliban’s failure and unwillingness to address the ongoing crisis, break the impasse and engage constructively with the national and international calls for a fair, responsible and inclusive system of governance. This includes respect for human rights and dignity, the rightful inclusion of women in all aspects of society and a commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. The situation is further compounded by geopolitical tensions and the absence of a strong, cohesive international approach to addressing Afghanistan’s crisis. Our situation is not one of neglect or unwillingness. Rather, it is linked to circumstances beyond our control. Article 19 of the United Nations Charter acknowledges such cases and provides for exemptions. We firmly believe our case meets these criteria. What concerns us even more is that the work of the Committee on Contributions, which has a well-defined technical and advisory role, appears to have taken on a political dimension. While we appreciate the understanding and recommendations of some Committee members in support of our waiver request, it is regrettable that others, in particular from the region, who are entrusted to act with independence and objectivity, have allowed political considerations to influence their decisions. This has undermined the fairness of the process and raises serious concerns about the impartiality that should guide the Committee’s deliberations. This was the first time we had requested a waiver under Article 19 with valid justifications, and it is disappointing that it was not given proper consideration owing to political biases from a few Committee members. Regrettably, the report of the Committee on Contributions also fails to accurately reflect our oral and written statements presented during the Committee meeting. We have provided a full copy of our statement delivered on 14 June 2024 for the record. Afghanistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the United Nations and the principles upon which it stands. Denying us the right to vote at this critical juncture further isolates us and limits our ability to engage meaningfully in the work of the Assembly. Moreover, it sends a troubling signal that political motivations can interfere with decisions that should be based on principles of impartiality, fairness and objectivity. Afghanistan has been an active and committed member of the United Nations since our membership began in October 1946. We will continue to uphold the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter. We acknowledge our obligation to meet our financial responsibilities to the Organization and will make all necessary efforts to fulfil these payments as soon as possible. In conclusion, I would like to stress that, despite these challenges, we will continue to represent the State and the people of Afghanistan, defend their rights and voices, especially the voices of women, and constructively contribute to the international efforts aimed at achieving a political settlement based on the well- being of the Afghan people, ultimately striving for a lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 143.

The General Assembly will consider sub-item (c) of agenda item 115 for the election of members of the Human Rights Council to replace those members whose term of office expires on 31 December 2024. The outgoing members are as follows: Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, the Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America. In accordance with operative paragraph 7 of resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, these Member States are eligible for immediate re-election except those who have served two consecutive terms, namely Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India and Somalia. The 18 vacant seats are distributed among the regional groups as follows: five seats for the African States; five seats for the Asia-Pacific States; two seats for the Eastern European States; three seats for the Latin American and Caribbean States; and three seats for the Western European and other States. The General Assembly will now proceed to the election of members of the Human Rights Council. In accordance with resolution 60/251, membership in the Council shall be open to all States Members of the United Nations, and the members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years. The members of the Council shall be elected directly and individually, by secret ballot, by the majority of the members of the General Assembly. Accordingly, 97 votes constitute a majority in the General Assembly, which has a membership of 193 States. The following States will continue to be members of the Human Rights Council: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Maldives, Morocco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, the Sudan and Viet Nam. The names of these States, therefore, should not appear on the ballot papers. This election will be held in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure of the General Assembly on elections. In this regard, rule 94 shall be applied. Consistent with the practice of the General Assembly, if more than the required number of Member States have obtained the votes of the majority of the members of the Assembly on the same ballot, those Member States which have obtained the largest number of votes above the required majority will be considered as elected, up to the number of seats to be filled. Also, consistent with past practice, if, due to a tied vote, it becomes necessary to determine a candidate or candidates to be elected or that would proceed to the next round of restricted balloting, there will be a special May I take it that the General Assembly agrees with the proposed way forward?

Regarding the candidates, the Secretariat has been informed that, for the five vacancies for the African States, five endorsed candidates have been communicated, namely, Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, the Gambia and Kenya. For the five vacant seats for Asia-Pacific States, six candidates have been communicated, namely, Cyprus, the Marshall Islands, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. For the two vacant seats for Eastern European States, two candidates have been communicated, namely, Czechia and North Macedonia. For the three vacant seats for Latin American and Caribbean States, three endorsed candidates have been communicated, namely, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Colombia and Mexico. For the three vacant seats for Western European and other States, three candidates have been communicated, namely, Iceland, Spain and Switzerland. Voluntary pledges and commitments made by Member States in accordance with operative paragraph 8 of resolution 60/251 were issued as official documents of the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session. Before we begin the voting process. I should like to remind members that, pursuant to rule 88 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order on the actual conduct of the voting. Any announcements, including those concerning withdrawals of candidatures, should therefore be made prior to the commencement of the voting process, that is to say, before the announcement of the beginning of the voting process. In addition, ballot papers will only be given to the delegates seated directly behind the country’s nameplate. We shall now begin the voting process. Ballot papers will now be distributed and the voting has thus begun. In accordance with resolution 71/323 of 8 September 2017, the names of the States that have been communicated to the Secretariat at least 48 hours prior to the election today have been printed on the ballot papers for each of the regional groups. Also, additional blank lines corresponding to the number of vacancies to be filled for each of the regional groups have been provided on the ballot papers for inscribing other names if desirable. I request representatives to use only those ballot papers that have been distributed and to put an “X” in the boxes next to the names whom they wish to vote for and/ or write other eligible names on the blank lines. If the box next to the name of a State is checked, the name of that State does not have to be repeated on the blank line. The total number of check boxes and handwritten names should not exceed the number of vacant seats to be filled, as indicated on the ballot paper. A ballot paper will be declared invalid if it contains more names of eligible Member States from the relevant region than the number of seats allocated to it. Accordingly, for the ballot papers marked “A” for African States, the total number of checked boxes and handwritten names should not exceed five. For the ballot papers marked “B” for Asia-Pacific States, the total number of checked boxes and handwritten names should not exceed five. For the ballot papers marked “C” for A ballot paper will be declared invalid if none of the names of the Member States on that ballot paper for which votes were cast belongs to the relevant region, or if all the votes on the ballot are for Member States that are not eligible for election. In this regard, I recall that the following Member States are not eligible for election: Member States that will continue to be members of the Council next year and Member States that are currently serving their second consecutive term in the Council. If a ballot paper for a region contains one of the following, the ballot remains valid, but the votes for those Member States will not be counted: Member States that do not belong to the region concerned, Member States that continue to be members of the Council next year, or Member States that are currently serving their second consecutive term in the Council. If a ballot paper contains any notation other than votes in favour of eligible Member States, those notations will be disregarded.

In the interest of time, the General Assembly will now proceed to consider the other item announced in the Journal of the United Nations while the ballots are being counted. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 115.

The General Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item 127, entitled “Global health and foreign policy”, to hear explanations of votes after the voting on resolution 79/2, entitled “Political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance”. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I have the honour to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and San Marino align themselves with this statement. I would like to begin by warmly thanking the delegations of Malta and Barbados for their strong leadership in this process and their excellent work leading us in the work on the political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 79/2), endorsed by our leaders last week. The high-level meeting, which took place 10 days ago, was a resounding success. The hard work and constructive engagement by all of us culminated in an ambitious outcome and a global agenda for cooperation, bringing antimicrobial resistance back into the spotlight, raising direly needed awareness of that global threat. That The declaration reinforces our commitment to strengthen policies and best practices for addressing antimicrobial resistance through a multisectoral and whole-of-Government approach, building successfully on the 2016 political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 71/3). The 2024 declaration puts a strong focus on the need to urgently develop, update, effectively implement and finance national action plans, recognizing the One Health approach as the way forward. One Health national action plans must comprise clear commitments and must form the strategic backbone of each nation’s work to curb antimicrobial resistance. In the EU, we have just adopted the second edition of the European Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections with the ambitious goal of changing the world’s approach to antimicrobial resistance through a One Health perspective in firm national action plans. In the declaration we have agreed on numerous targets, many of which are to be achieved by 2030, with clear goals set for action at both the global and national levels. Effective Government mechanisms must be in place to ensure accountability, and Member States will need to assess their progress throughout the implementation process. The work of the new independent panel for evidence for action to be set up in 2025 will serve as a valuable guide on action against antimicrobial resistance. In the European Union, we have successfully applied that collaborative approach through a dedicated framework, the AMR One Health Network. We are pleased that the Quadripartite AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform will play a similar role globally. Furthermore, the biennial ministerial conferences on antimicrobial resistance will provide an essential platform for evaluating our collective progress at a global and national level. To implement the agreed commitments, we need sufficient financial resources. The European Union has been and remains a major contributor to the existing funds alongside others and is looking forward to broadening the donor base of the antimicrobial resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund and to the more efficient use of resources. With regard to innovation and access, both push and pull incentives should allow us to find the breakthrough antimicrobials we urgently need. The European Union and its 27 member States fully support the recognized potential and the importance of technology transfers, which are voluntary and based on mutually agreed terms, fully aligned with international intellectual property rules. It is our understanding that the United Nations and its Member States do not endorse coercive transfers of technology that contravene the fundamental principles of intellectual property law and contract law. The process must be conducted in a way that respects the interests of all parties, fostering a climate of progress and creativity without compromise. Innovators, creators, stakeholders and recipients of the technology in every country and region deserve such protection and peace of mind. The EU and its member States have consistently upheld that principle across all United Nations contexts. Therefore, technology transfers have to occur voluntarily and under terms that are mutually agreed. And we must therefore distance ourselves from any interpretations that are not aligned with that principle. Finally, the European Union is fully and unreservedly committed to the overarching objective of the political declaration, which is to enhance the global response to effectively address antimicrobial resistance. While the political declaration is a critical step, we call upon all Member States to aim higher and show more ambition in this critical phase of implementation. We will continue to work together with all Members in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums, with Quadripartite organizations and at the United Nations, to translate commitments into actions as a result, so that, by 2030, we achieve the goal we set today. In the European Union, we are ready to fully play our part and support others.

I have the honour, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to deliver this statement — an explanation of position following the adoption, under agenda item 127, of resolution 79/2 on the political declaration of the high- level meeting on antimicrobial resistance. At the outset, we extend our appreciation to the co-facilitators from the Permanent Mission of Barbados and the Permanent Mission of Malta for their tireless efforts in guiding the complex negotiations. The Group also wishes to thank the Permanent Mission of Indonesia in New York for their support to the Chair in facilitating substantive and productive negotiations over the course of nearly five months. Their dedication has been instrumental in ensuring that the resolution reflects key priorities of the global South, including equitable access to antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health and development challenge, particularly for developing countries, where it undermines progress in combating diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, Ebola and malaria. The adoption of the declaration is an important step towards fostering coordinated multisectoral action to tackle antimicrobial resistance. We have joined consensus on the resolution, as we accord great importance to the global commitments it represents in addressing those challenges and ensuring that developing countries receive the necessary support to strengthen their capacities in this fight. We welcome the emphasis placed on capacity-building and technology transfer in the political declaration, which are vital for enabling local production of antimicrobial medicines. However, the group strongly urges the international community to recognize the damaging effects of unilateral coercive measures on the ability of developing countries to combat antimicrobial resistance. Such measures limit access to antimicrobial medicines and weaken health systems, compounding the difficulties faced by countries in special situations. We call for the elimination of those measures to support the global fight against antimicrobial resistance and ensure no one is left behind. We welcome the acknowledgement of the importance of multisectoral efforts to foster cooperation across human and animal health, as well as environmental and other relevant sectors, to tackle antimicrobial resistance. The Group of 77 and China is encouraged by the commitment to mobilize $100 million through the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund, but we strongly emphasize the need for sustainable financing and strong international cooperation to ensure the full implementation of national antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance requires a comprehensive approach. And the political declaration rightly highlights the importance of improved water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and appropriate antimicrobial use across sectors to prevent the spread of that resistance. Infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings are equally essential to limit the transmission of resistant infections. In conclusion, we are confident that the upcoming fourth Global High-level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, to be held in Saudi Arabia from 15 to 16 November, will serve as a key platform for moving from declaration to concrete actions. With the theme of accelerating actions through multisectoral partnerships for the containment of antimicrobial resistance, the conference presents an opportunity to strengthen global cooperation and ensure that commitments are made effectively and translated into meaningful progress across human, animal health and environmental sectors. As we look forward to the next high-level meeting in 2029, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

The Islamic Republic of Iran would like to extend its appreciation to Your Excellency, Mr. President, for convening the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance. We express our gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Malta and Barbados and their respective teams for their efforts in facilitating the consultation process. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations (see A/79/PV.18) and the statement delivered by the representative of Uganda on behalf the Group of 77 and China and would like to add the following points in its national capacity. The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged constructively in the negotiation process on the political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 79/2) in an effort to reach a balanced and acceptable outcome document. The United Nations, as per its Charter, is based on the sovereign equality of all its Member States. Hence, the views and priorities of Member States must be respected. Nonetheless, we witnessed during the negotiations of said political declaration that this very fundamental principle was frequently disregarded. The priorities of a few were accommodated at the expense of those of many developing Member States, and agreed-upon language was altered for the benefit of a few. Regrettably, in general, we are of the view that this is an unbalanced text that ignores the concerns and priorities of a large number of countries by one-sidedness, deliberate obscurity and ignorance, which unfortunately prevailed over neutrality, transparency and inclusiveness. As a case in point, the political declaration fails to address the detrimental effects of unilateral coercive measures, which is of particular importance to my delegation and about which we are extremely disappointed. It is vital to uphold our commitment that no country or individual should be left behind. Ensuring that all individuals, particularly those in developing countries, have unimpeded and timely access to appropriate treatment helps mitigate the risks associated with improper antimicrobial use. Those risks are heightened when people’s access to medicine, vaccines and medical equipment is cut off. As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur Furthermore, we also note the absence of a clear reference to the developed countries’ commitment to host countries that receive externally displaced persons and provide them with various services, including healthcare, without discrimination. It is essential that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant United Nation agencies prioritize antimicrobial resistance in their agendas, especially considering the transborder challenges faced by countries hosting the largest number of refugees or externally displaced persons. As a final point, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with its sovereign rights, governs health policies within its jurisdiction, considering its laws, national programmes and unique economic and social circumstances. Based on that approach, I would like to announce that my country views the political declaration as a non-legally binding voluntary instrument. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not committed to those parts of the document that contradict its national priorities, laws, regulations and cultural and religious norms. In conclusion, we decide to join the consensus on the present resolution, with the understanding that such processes will not set any precedent in the future and similar shortcomings will not happen again.

Brazil subscribes to the explanation of position delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (G-77 and China). My delegation extends its deep appreciation to the Permanent Missions of Barbados and Malta for leading the negotiation process concerning resolution 79/2 in an open and transparent way. They should be commended for employing all efforts to reach a balanced text that spells out commitments and the means to achieve them. We also thank the Permanent Missions of Uganda and Indonesia for guiding the G-77 and China through this process. The political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance adequately addresses the challenges faced by the international community in confronting antimicrobial resistance. We underscore in particular the language regarding the need for a scientific basis in the adoption of measures related to antimicrobial resistance and access to antimicrobials. From our perspective, it is not enough to focus on controlling the use of antimicrobials. We must never forget that one of the main factors contributing to the increase of resistant pathogens is the difficulty for a large portion of the population, especially those marginalized, to have access to quality, safe, effective and affordable antimicrobials throughout the course of treatment. We also welcome the inclusion of language on universal health coverage; the alignment with strategic programmes such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; strengthening prevention tools such as water, sanitation and hygiene, immunization, diagnosis and infection control; strengthening regional production of health supplies; Now it is time to fully translate the collective effort into practical actions to achieve the objectives set forth in the political declaration and reduce the number of global deaths caused by antimicrobial resistance, which has its greatest impact in developing countries, women, children and people in vulnerable situations. In that vein, it is important to take into consideration the different roles and mandates of the relevant international organizations and the authority of their governing bodies. Antimicrobial resistance is multifactorial in nature, challenging technological progress made in different areas of human and animal health. It is essential that global efforts for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance be combined with those aimed at reducing inequalities, achieving universal health coverage and eliminating socially determined diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. In 2024, the Ministry of Health in Brazil launched the Healthy Brazil Programme, which is aimed at eliminating socially determined diseases as public health issues, including tuberculosis. That initiative is aligned with the guidelines and goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting science, technology and innovation, among other actions. As stated by our national Secretary of Health and Environmental Surveillance, Ethel Maciel, in the general debate of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance, the goals of the political declaration adopted by the General Assembly will be achieved only by means of effective cooperation and solidarity among countries. Brazil reaffirms its commitment to that global effort. In conclusion, my delegation stresses that the level of ambition of the political declaration is an important reference and example. It should serve as an inspiration for the bold actions that are necessary to tackle other health problems, such as ensuring access to and the affordability of medical products, including price transparency. Next year, at the high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, we will need to ensure that we live up to the expectation of a similar level of ambition.

Switzerland commends the fact that the General Assembly has once again, eight years after the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance of 2016, placed the theme of antimicrobial resistance on the agenda of its priorities. The commitments entered into during the high-level meeting held at the end of September will make it possible to supplement and strengthen the measures and processes undertaken within the various organizations making up the Quadripartite. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the co-facilitators. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the key threats to public health and global development. Alongside the international community, Switzerland is committed to preventing the emergence of new resistant pathogens, as well as limiting their transmission and spread and supporting research into the development of new antibiotics, diagnoses and preventive tools. As the doctor and researcher Alexander Fleming said: “The more complex the world becomes, the more difficult it is to achieve anything without cooperation from other people.” Recognizing the need to adopt a One Health approach is vital if we are to guarantee the coherence and effectiveness of measures. In that connection, last June, Switzerland adopted a One Health action plan against antimicrobial resistance. That Switzerland is fully committed to the negotiation process for the 2024 political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 79/2). We particularly support the creation of an independent panel responsible for collecting conclusive evidence regarding measures to take to combat antimicrobial resistance, as well as for defining certain targets. We also welcome the recognition of the merits of public-private partnerships, such as the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership and Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator, for the development of new antibacterials and access to them. We are of the view that the approach and procedure selected during the prior negotiations did not, however, make it possible to take account of the perspectives of all delegations. For that reason, we wish to emphasize that technology transfer is possible and sustainable only if the owner of a technology decides to agree on such a transfer and accepts the conditions attached to it. We would also have much preferred for there to have been explicit reference to that in the political declaration, and we interpret the relevant passage as referring to technology transfer that takes place under those conditions.

The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption by consensus of the political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 79/2). We congratulate and thank you, Mr. President, the Secretariat and, especially, the Permanent Representatives of Barbados and Malta and their respective teams, for their unwavering leadership throughout the consultation process on the political declaration. As the United Kingdom Prime Minister set out in his address to the General Assembly (see A/79/PV.12), the United Kingdom is committed to responsible global leadership and to working with others to tackle shared challenges. We know that without action, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to take 39 million lives by 2025 and wipe $412 billion from the global economy by 2030. We welcome this declaration’s commitment to address AMR in humans, animals and plants through the One Health approach. We applaud a strong mandate for the Quadripartite AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform to establish an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR and its support for equitable access to antibiotics, which we know could save 92 million lives. We strongly support the commitment to use antimicrobials in animals and agriculture prudently, in line with the Codex Alimentarius and World Organization for Animal Health standards, as well as the commitment to develop guidance to prevent and reduce the use of antimicrobials in plant agriculture, and the focus on disease prevention and investing in health systems. The United Kingdom would have liked to see the declaration go further. In particular, in paragraphs 37 and 38, we would have preferred stronger and more specific commitments on sustainable funding for AMR, which we know is critical to meeting our target to reduce AMR deaths by 10 per cent. In paragraph 70, we consider the absence of a time-bound commitment for phasing out medically important antimicrobials for growth promotion in animal agriculture to be a missed opportunity. And we are disappointed that there is no commitment to develop veterinary Access, Watch and Reserve guidance, which is needed to develop Access antibiotic targets. With respect to paragraph 87, the United Kingdom believes strongly that the transfer of technology on voluntary and mutually agreed terms is essential, and the United Kingdom will continue to promote the activity under those conditions as the principal and most effective means of disseminating innovation. In conclusion, we look forward to working with one and all as we begin the critical work of delivering the commitments set out in this declaration, helping to safeguard our citizens and deliver a more sustainable and prosperous world.

The United States thanks Malta and Barbados for their leadership in finding consensus. The United States is pleased to have joined consensus on the ambitious action-oriented political declaration of the General Assembly high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (resolution 79/2), and we welcome the adoption of the resolution. The United States works with other Governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other partners to tackle our most pressing challenges in order to prevent infections and address the emergence, spread and impact of antimicrobial resistance. We are pleased that the shared efforts of this organ produced an action-oriented document that commits to meaningful, ambitious science- and risk-based targets that are achievable for global efforts to prevent antimicrobial resistance. Through intensified efforts and greater cooperation, we can work toward achieving the declaration’s commitments. We welcome the declaration’s emphasis on sustainably addressing the devastating health and development threat, its focus on access to infection prevention and appropriate care, and attention to innovation and research. The United States remains committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, as they are frequently at the highest risk of antimicrobial resistant infections and face significant barriers to accessing timely medical care and treatments. We would like to take this opportunity to clarify United States policy positions. It is our view that the United Nations must respect the independent mandates of other processes and institutions, including trade negotiations, and must not comment on decisions and actions in other forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO). While the United Nations and the WTO share some common interests, they have different roles, rules and memberships. The United States understands that, with respect to the resolution, references to the transfer of technology and know-how are to be voluntary transfers of technology and know-how, on mutually agreed terms. Additionally, we underscore our position that trade language negotiated or adopted by the General Assembly, or under its auspices, is not binding and has no relevance to United States trade policy, trade obligations or commitments or to the agenda of the WTO, including discussions or negotiations in that forum. In that vein, the United States disassociates from the language “acknowledging the need to remove trade barriers”, in paragraph 82. That language has no standing in future United Nations negotiations, as trade measures may be necessary to respond to unfair practices that would otherwise distort trade or create dependencies or vulnerabilities. The full statement clarifying United States policy positions can be found online. I would like to conclude with a reminder that no single country, organization or sector can solve antimicrobial resistance. We must do this together, and everyone must do more. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our collaborations to address the emergence, spread and impact of antimicrobial resistance. As was indicated by Peru’s Minister of Health during the high-level plenary meeting on this matter, Peru recognizes that antimicrobial resistance constitutes one of the greatest threats to global public health. It requires urgent, coordinated and sustained action on the part of the international community. The political declaration that we just adopted (resolution 79/2) is a robust basis for strengthening international cooperation in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. This text is the blueprint for our action to achieve a future in which all countries, regardless of their level of income, can protect the health of their citizens in the face of this threat. We welcome the fact that the text makes key references to the importance of bolstering monitoring and early detection capacities. Moreover, the text includes the need to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials, guarantee their supply and have an appropriate network of microbiology laboratories that make it possible to produce greater evidence regarding the impact of antimicrobial resistance on human, animal and environmental health. Moreover, as stated in the text, it is imperative to have appropriate resource allocation, international cooperation and technology transfer. For Peru, it is important to underscore the environmental impact of the spread of resistant bacteria and the environmental impact of antibiotic waste on soil and bodies of water. All of this has serious consequences for human and animal health. Therefore, in our view, the political declaration is an invaluable tool to intensify efforts in learning about, and circulating information on, the effects of antimicrobial waste on the environment. All countries must urgently develop their own effective strategies tailored to their local realities to tackle this threat, bearing in mind the multisectoral impact it has. We also wish to underscore the work of the Quadripartite partnership and the crucial role played by international cooperation in promoting the One Health approach. Peru, with the support of the international community, is working at a national level to strengthen its national systems for animal and public health with a view to mitigating risks and threats caused by emerging and re-emerging zoonosis, as well as endemic zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. To conclude, we appeal to all Member States to redouble our joint efforts in the fight against this global public health crisis. Peru reaffirms its unwavering commitment to continue actively contributing to international efforts designed to mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance and protect the health of our citizens.

The Russian Federation would like to endorse the statement delivered by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations on Monday, 7 October (see A/79/PV.18). Under our country’s laws, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is treated as a biological threat. We are implementing an entire host of measures to protect our people and the environment. In 2017, we adopted a strategy geared towards preventing the spread of AMR until the year 2030. This strategy is being implemented by the health, veterinary, agricultural, food production and disease control sectors. Our activities as part of this strategy include AMR monitoring; implementing measures to control AMR use — in fact, supplying antibiotics without a prescription The Russian Federation is stepping up its efforts in the international arena as well. The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for AMR Research, which aims to provide assistance to Eastern European and Central Asian countries, is continuing its fruitful work. Over many years, we have been working very actively on crafting key documents of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Russian Federation has been implementing a project to assist Eastern European and Central Asian countries on AMR since 2017. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Independent States adopted a joint plan of action on combating AMR. The first International BRICS conference on AMR took place in Moscow in May 2024, as mentioned in the new political declaration (see resolution 79/2). The implementation of the outcome document of the second high-level meeting on AMR will require us to pool our efforts to combat resistance to antimicrobials. The Russian Federation supports this political declaration and is hopeful that its objectives will be met. At the same time, we would like to draw your attention, much like other countries have, to the fact that it is unacceptable to impose unilateral coercive measures, which are thwarting efforts to prevent the spread of AMR.

Canada would like to thank the co-facilitators, Barbados and Malta, for their excellent leadership in the negotiations of this political declaration (see resolution 79/2) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We welcome that the political declaration outlines the importance, first, of using a One Health approach to address AMR; secondly, of the need for equitable access to antimicrobials, vaccinations and diagnostics; thirdly, of the critical nature of stewardship programmes, infection prevention and control measures, as well as integrated surveillance; and fourthly, of national context being considered when implementing AMR actions. We also support the proposal for the Quadripartite partnership to establish an independent panel for evidence on AMR and look forward to participating in Member State consultations on the composition, mandate, scope and deliverables of that mechanism. The declaration provides us with a clear path to collectively address this global health threat through a multisectoral approach that includes whole-of-society engagement. Canada was therefore very pleased to join the consensus on this resolution, with only one reservation. Canada cannot support paragraph 87, related to technology transfer, as it does not include the qualifiers “on voluntary and mutually agreed terms”, or “consistent with national law and policy”. As we have stated throughout the negotiation process, the paragraph 87 language raises concerns about the ability of Member States to promote technology transfer on terms and conditions other than voluntary and mutually agreed terms. We thank the co-facilitators once again and look forward to working with partners and Member States in the years to come to advance our collective efforts to combat AMR. We join others in thanking Malta and Barbados for their efforts in the work on the political declaration (see resolution 79/2) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Ukraine remains a strong advocate for global efforts aimed at addressing the urgent challenge of AMR, which poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. During the negotiation process, Ukraine consistently underscored the importance of inclusivity in such efforts. We have specifically emphasized that referencing conferences and events not widely attended by United Nations Member States is inappropriate, as it undermines the spirit of collective global action. Notably the only Member State mentioned in the text as the host of such a conference is the Russian Federation, which the General Assembly has recognized as an aggressor State. We are therefore deeply concerned that in the most recent version of the political declaration presented during the first silence procedure, this reference was included without providing Member States sufficient opportunity for a full discussion. Considering this, we remind the General Assembly that since the Russian Federation launched its war against Ukraine, it has inflicted devastating damage on Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure, in particular, in the most affected regions. A total of over 1,800 healthcare facilities have been damaged, over 200 destroyed and 47 civilian healthcare workers have lost their lives, with 177 injured. Hospitals face challenges maintaining infection prevention and control, crucial in preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Key issues include overwhelmed hospitals, limited staff, the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens as patients move along medical evacuation routes, overuse and misuse of antibiotics, disrupted water and sanitation services, difficulty maintaining hygiene in crowded areas and worsening pre-existing weaknesses such as delays or poor quality in microbiological testing. The Russian Federation’s actions have not only compromised Ukraine’s public health efforts, but also disrupted access to essential medicines, creating conditions that may exacerbate the spread of antimicrobial resistance within the region. At the same time, while continuing its invasion, the Russian Federation has engaged in disinformation campaigns that erode global trust in public health cooperation. False claims regarding the presence of secret biological laboratories in Ukraine are just one example of how much disinformation sows confusion and undermines international efforts to address critical health issues. To suggest that the Russian Federation is a key contributor to global health while it continues these destabilizing actions presents a false and harmful narrative. Ukraine reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the global fight against AMR. We firmly believe that international cooperation must be grounded in truth, transparency and respect for the integrity of global health initiatives. It is crucial that Member States recognize the actions of each country in either supporting or undermining these efforts. Our response to AMR must be based on facts and a shared understanding of the real challenges we face.

Japan welcomes the adoption of the political declaration of the high-level political forum on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (see resolution 79/2) by consensus. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the co-facilitators, Malta and Barbados, as well as the able leadership of both the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly. We are facing mounting obstacles as the world grapples with complex and interrelated crises and the international community is being increasingly divided. The political declaration on AMR, adopted after overcoming many differences of opinion, represents our strong and unwavering commitment to stronger, transparent In that regard, Japan would like to reiterate the importance of the basic concept that technology transfer should be conducted on voluntary and mutually agreed terms, since technologies are in many cases the property of the private sector, and it is not acceptable that the transfer of those technologies is forced by any party. Therefore, the transfer of technology should be voluntary. The transfer of technology should be conducted on the basis of the consent of parties, and therefore the transfer of technology should be on mutually agreed terms. The adoption of the declaration is not an end, but the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Japan will continue to strengthen our best efforts toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the vote. I wish to express my sincere thanks to His Excellency Mr. François Jackman, Permanent Representative of Barbados, and Her Excellency Mrs. Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Representative of Malta, who ably and patiently conducted the discussions and complex negotiations in the informal consultations on this resolution (resolution 79/2). I am sure the members of the Assembly join me in extending to them our sincere appreciation. The exercise of the right of reply has been requested. May I remind members that statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention, and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

I am compelled to take the floor to exercise the right of reply. Not only did the Ukrainian delegation use the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on 26 September for the exclusive purpose of spreading their lies and allegations aimed at my country, but here, in the Hall of the General Assembly of the United Nations, we regretfully note yet another attempt by Ukraine to politicize the adoption of the outcome document of that high-level meeting as much as possible. Ukraine’s action today only undermines the world’s pooled efforts to prevent the spread of AMR. It is at odds with the principles of strengthening and enhancing the cooperation in this area that is necessary to achieve tangible progress in addressing this contemporary challenge. As for violations of international law by the Ukrainian regime and its promotion of misanthropic policies towards its own people and another one, our delegation will continue drawing attention to this, but in other forums, including the Security Council.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 127.

The result of the voting is as follows: Group A — African States (5 seats) Number of ballot papers: 190 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 190 Abstentions: 0 Number of members present and voting: 190 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Benin: 181 Gambia: 181 Kenya: 181 Democratic Republic of the Congo: 172 Ethiopia: 171 Liberia: 1 Group B — Asia-Pacific States (5 seats) Number of ballot papers: 190 Number of invalid ballots: 1 Number of valid ballots: 189 Abstentions: 0 Number of members present and voting: 189 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Thailand: 177 Cyprus: 167 Qatar: 167 Republic of Korea: 161 Marshall Islands: 124 Saudi Arabia: 117 Group C — Eastern European States (2 seats) Number of ballot papers: 190 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 190 Abstentions: 12 Number of members present and voting: 178 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: North Macedonia: 168 Czechia: 166 Group D — Latin American and Caribbean States (3 seats) Number of ballot papers: 190 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 190 Abstentions: 7 Number of members present and voting: 183 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Plurinational State of Bolivia: 180 Group E — Western European and other States (3 seats) Number of ballot papers: 190 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 190 Abstentions: 7 Number of members present and voting: 183 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Switzerland: 175 Iceland: 174 Spain: 174

I congratulate the States that have been elected members of the Human Rights Council, and I thank the tellers for their assistance in this election. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 115.