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 

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We have come to the end of a very successful High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

 

Let me express my deep thanks to all delegations for your keen engagement and active participation in this process.

 

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.

 

I am proud of the progress we have made today:

 

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.

 

And we held two very fruitful multi-stakeholder panel discussions.

 

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.

 

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.

 

By placing people at the centre of health systems, this approach shifts the focus away from disease and treatment towards health promotion and prevention.

 

We also recognized the benefits of technology in helping to ensure continued access to essential health services in times of crises.

In panel 2 – aligning our investments for health and well-being in a post-COVID world – we recognised that achieving UHC by 2030 requires substantial public sector investment and accelerated action by Governments and partners alike.

 

Public financing, greater prioritisation of health in Government budgeting and smarter investments are all critical to promoting health and preventing disease.

 

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.

 

Parliamentarians, in particular, have a key role to play in approving health-sensitive budgets and ensuring oversight in their implementation.

 

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.

 

Excellencies,

 

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.

 

We cannot afford to let it fade.

 

Let us bolster our commitments.

 

Let us work harder to place good health within everyone’s reach – and, in turn, create a brighter future of peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability, leaving no one behind.

 

I thank you.