INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON THE POLITICAL DECLARATION FOR THE HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
16 May 2023
Statement by H.E. The Hon Mitch Fifield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations
On behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia, let me begin by conveying our appreciation to you and your teams for your ongoing leadership in preparation for the High-Level Meeting on universal health coverage, taking place under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly this September. This meeting is an important occasion for renewing political commitment and driving multi-sectoral action and investment to help achieve SDG3.
We welcome this opportunity to outline our four main priorities for the meeting.
Our first priority is an ambitious, action-oriented declaration that reinvigorates global commitment to universal health coverage, focusing on building resilient and equitable health systems that address the needs of all, and leaves no one behind.
Second, the declaration must embrace social inclusion. In particular, it should focus on gender equality, the rights of women and girls in their diversity, Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities, and equity-based approaches that adapt to the needs of those living in vulnerable and marginalised situations. It is also of critical importance that the declaration affirms rights-based sexual and reproductive health services as an essential component of universal health coverage (UHC).
Third, the meeting should emphasise primary health care and gender-responsive, community-driven health systems as foundations for achieving UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on effective non-communicable disease and anti-microbial resistance prevention strategies to alleviate the need for costly interventions in the future.
It is vital that the declaration underscores the importance of partnerships with civil society and other non-government actors, and recognises the need to strengthen the health workforce to deliver high-quality health care services. It should also recognise the importance of providing information and education on health issues to counter misinformation and disinformation.
Fourth, there should be an enhanced focus on implementation and stronger accountability. Regulatory frameworks are crucial for implementing universal health coverage commitments in a way that responds to people’s needs and reaffirms their rights, consistent with international agreements.
Canada, New Zealand and Australia also emphasise the importance of ensuring coherence and consistency across the three health high-level meetings in September. In particular this involves: unifying universal health coverage and health security; agreeing to outcomes that align with World Health Organization policies and draw on its expertise; stronger collaboration and alignment across global health initiatives; a One Health approach as a key element of strengthening UHC and health resilience; and, improved investment in developing and implementing strategies for health financing.
Your excellencies, we would like to reiterate our appreciation for your leadership in this important effort and look forward to working with all delegations toward a successful meeting that makes a meaningful contribution to advancing global health.
On behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia, let me begin by conveying our appreciation to you and your teams for your ongoing leadership in preparation for the High-Level Meeting on universal health coverage, taking place under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly this September. This meeting is an important occasion for renewing political commitment and driving multi-sectoral action and investment to help achieve SDG3.
We welcome this opportunity to outline our four main priorities for the meeting.
Our first priority is an ambitious, action-oriented declaration that reinvigorates global commitment to universal health coverage, focusing on building resilient and equitable health systems that address the needs of all, and leaves no one behind.
Second, the declaration must embrace social inclusion. In particular, it should focus on gender equality, the rights of women and girls in their diversity, Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities, and equity-based approaches that adapt to the needs of those living in vulnerable and marginalised situations. It is also of critical importance that the declaration affirms rights-based sexual and reproductive health services as an essential component of universal health coverage (UHC).
Third, the meeting should emphasise primary health care and gender-responsive, community-driven health systems as foundations for achieving UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on effective non-communicable disease and anti-microbial resistance prevention strategies to alleviate the need for costly interventions in the future.
It is vital that the declaration underscores the importance of partnerships with civil society and other non-government actors, and recognises the need to strengthen the health workforce to deliver high-quality health care services. It should also recognise the importance of providing information and education on health issues to counter misinformation and disinformation.
Fourth, there should be an enhanced focus on implementation and stronger accountability. Regulatory frameworks are crucial for implementing universal health coverage commitments in a way that responds to people’s needs and reaffirms their rights, consistent with international agreements.
Canada, New Zealand and Australia also emphasise the importance of ensuring coherence and consistency across the three health high-level meetings in September. In particular this involves: unifying universal health coverage and health security; agreeing to outcomes that align with World Health Organization policies and draw on its expertise; stronger collaboration and alignment across global health initiatives; a One Health approach as a key element of strengthening UHC and health resilience; and, improved investment in developing and implementing strategies for health financing.
Your excellencies, we would like to reiterate our appreciation for your leadership in this important effort and look forward to working with all delegations toward a successful meeting that makes a meaningful contribution to advancing global health.