A Light in the Darkness: Mexico and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 74/274

On April 20, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 74/274 entitled “International cooperation to ensure global access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to face COVID-19.” This Mexican initiative, which was endorsed by 179 Member States, was the first substantive and action-oriented decision adopted by the United Nations in the midst of the worst health crisis of our time. It was a multilateral achievement that entailed a complex negotiation process, further complicated by COVID-19 restrictions that hampered normal diplomatic practices. This article recounts the sui generis negotiation process that took place last year, with emphasis on the working methods employed, the obstacles faced by the Mexican delegation, modifications to the text and, finally, the scope of resolution 74/274, which has become even more relevant now that vaccines are available and are in the process of being distributed.