The United States has expressed its appreciation for the efforts of France and Brazil in facilitating the process of a draft resolution at the 62nd Plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly. However, despite these efforts, the U.S. regrets that no textual accommodations were made after multiple members broke silence in pursuit of consensus.
The U.S. acknowledges the importance of healthy food and nutrition, supporting initiatives to provide children with nutritious meals through schools. It emphasizes that healthy meals are crucial for preventing childhood chronic diseases and enhancing children's engagement in education.
The resolution highlights access to affordable, healthy food as essential for physical and mental development and for preventing chronic diseases. The U.S. supports reversing trends in overweight and obesity while reducing diet-related non-communicable diseases across all age groups.
Domestically, the U.S. is addressing these challenges under a new initiative called "Make America Healthy Again," where nutrition plays a pivotal role in health promotion rather than just disease management.
However, the U.S. has reservations about extending another 'international decade' or 'theme day,' citing inefficacy as a catalyst for change. Additionally, it cannot support certain positions within the resolution's text, prompting it to call for a vote.
The U.S. maintains that reaffirmation of the 2030 Agenda or Sustainable Development Goals promotes soft global governance inconsistent with American sovereignty and interests. It will not accept such reaffirmations.
Concerns are raised over terms promoting discrimination and gender ideology conflicting with biological realities and U.S. policies set by President Trump concerning "gender ideology."
On development language, the U.S advocates for terms like “responsible” and “long-term” instead of “sustainable,” emphasizing movement beyond developing status.
Regarding human rights, the longstanding position is that all individuals possess equal internationally recognized rights without needing specific categories listed.
Environmental threats are acknowledged but prioritized below American interests per President Trump's directives; climate references in this resolution are seen as distractions from health issues.
For technology transfer agreements, voluntary mutual terms are emphasized by the U.S., which also signals its intention to withdraw from WHO due to disagreements over language appreciating this organization.
Finally, it underscores that UN General Assembly resolutions do not create binding international law obligations related to food rights or other areas unless states are parties to specific covenants like ICESCR.
Thank you.