Remarks by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly,??
Mr. Dennis Francis,??
at the closing of the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage
21 September 2023?
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Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
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We have come to the end of a very successful High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.
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Let me express my deep thanks to all delegations for your keen engagement and active participation in this process.
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The presence of so many Heads of State and Government, and Health Ministers from across the world is a proud testament to the global resolve to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
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I am proud of the progress we have made today:
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We approved an important political declaration reaffirming the right of every human being, without distinction, to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
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And we held two very fruitful multi-stakeholder panel discussions.
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In panel 1, we recognized that UHC is fundamental to optimising health and well-being, but it also contributes to ending poverty to supporting education, gender equality and peaceful, inclusive societies.
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We acknowledged that refocusing health systems on?primary health care?is the most cost-effective way to deliver on this promise, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
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By placing?people?at the centre of health systems, this approach shifts the focus away from disease and treatment towards health promotion and prevention.
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We also recognized the benefits of technology in helping to ensure continued access to essential health services in times of crises.
In panel 2 ¨C aligning our investments for health and well-being in a post-COVID world ¨C we recognised that achieving UHC by 2030 requires?substantial public sector investment?and accelerated action by Governments and partners alike.
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Public financing, greater prioritisation of health in Government budgeting and smarter investments are?all?critical to promoting health and preventing disease.
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We heard that country-led processes that align donor support behind a one-plan, one-budget, and one monitoring framework are important steps to move towards universal health coverage.
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Parliamentarians, in particular, have a key role to play in approving health-sensitive budgets and ensuring oversight in their implementation.
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In sum, we need to drive investments in the?right?direction by listening to communities, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups. There is indeed a cost to doing nothing.
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Excellencies,
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The three High Level Meetings on health and the SDG Summit, together, are generating significant momentum for radically stepping up action to fulfil the SDGs.
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We cannot afford to let it fade.
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Let us bolster our commitments.
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Let us work harder to place good health within?everyone¡¯s reach?¨C and, in turn, create a brighter future of?peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability, leaving no one behind.
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I thank you.