2016-05-27

G7 Ise-Shima Summit announces major global health agenda; World Health Assembly endorses WHO programme for health emergencies and strategy for ageing and health

May 27 -- The G7 Ise-Shima Leaders’ Declaration released today establishes an ambitious action agenda for global health to tackle the most pressing challenges facing countries and communities. It calls for actions to support countries plan and respond to health emergencies; to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), including for healthy and active ageing and a new global UHC2030 coordination platform; and for reducing antimicrobial resistance.

The G7 Health Ministers meeting in Kobe on 11-12 September 2016 will further discuss these new global health issues and required actions.

WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in Geneva have also endorsed a significant reform to establish a new WHO Health Emergencies Programme that increases WHO’s operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies.

WHO Member States, including Australia, Germany, Japan and Sweden, stepped forward with financial support for the new Programme. The Government of Japan committed $US 50 million to support WHO’s emergencies work.

“I particularly welcome the contribution of $50 million from the Government of Japan, a sign of confidence in our new Health Emergencies Programme from a long-standing supporter of WHO's work in emergencies,” Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General, said.

“We strongly expect WHO to play a leading role in responding to health emergencies, in its capacity as the sole technical agency in the field of global health,” said Ms Fusae Ota, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

WHO Member States have also approved a new WHO Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health, 2016-2020. The aim of the strategy is for every country to commit to action on healthy ageing. Actions include alignment of health systems to the needs of older populations and development of age-friendly environments. The strategy envisages the development of sustainable and equitable UHC, systems of long-term care, and improved measurement, monitoring and research. It emphasizes equity and human rights, including the important role of involving older adults in all decisions that concern them.

The WHO Kobe Centre supports these activities through research on UHC, innovation and ageing, and works closely with many parts of WHO worldwide.

Links