Our story begins in 2007 when we started out as IHP+, an international partnership that aimed to improve effective development cooperation in health to help meet the Millennium Development Goals. In 2016, IHP+ transformed into UHC2030 to respond to the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and we expanded our scope to include health systems strengthening to achieve universal health coverage. 

IHP+

The IHP+ approach included providing support to strong and comprehensive country and government-led national health plans in a well-coordinated way. Our partners were developing countries, bi-lateral donor countries and international development agencies, while civil society organisations were less formally involved. 

Partners believed that by uniting around a single health strategy and by changing the way we work together, the health of citizens in developing countries would improve. All our partners signed an IHP+ Global Compact demonstrating commitment to the principles of effective development cooperation. 

The initiative grew from 26 partners in 2007, to 66 partners in 2016 with many of them demonstrating increasing commitment to improving coordination and harmonisation in the health sector. 

Transforming IHP+ into UHC2030

In September 2015 the world moved from focusing on the Millennium Development Goals to the more universal and ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IHP+ responded to these changes by discussing how best the partnership can contribute to moving towards the health-related SDG. 

In early 2016, the Steering Committee and IHP+ signatories agreed to expand the scope of IHP+ to include health systems strengthening (HSS) towards the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC).

It was also agreed to broaden the base of the partnership to respond to the health-related SDGs because they are relevant for all countries, rich and poor. It was envisaged that the new partnership would continue the work on improving effective development cooperation in countries receiving external assistance, but also broaden the scope to focus on HSS and domestic spending in all countries.

In September 2016 the Director General of WHO formally announced the establishment of the ‘International Health Partnership for UHC 2030’ at a high-level meeting on during UNGA in New York. 

Download: Timeline of transformation process from IHP+ to UHC2030

September 2015

SDG Goal 3 demonstrates a renewed global commitment to health, underpinned by target 3.8 for Universal Health Coverage. It presents an opportunity to promote a comprehensive and coherent approach to health, focusing on health systems. 

November 2015

In the light of SDG Goal 3, the IHP+ Steering Committee recommended that a proposal should be developed to expand IHP+’s mandate to also cover coordination and advocacy aspects of support for HSS and UHC.

March 2016

The World Health Organization and the World Bank wrote a letter to all IHP+ signatories to inform them of a Steering Committee meeting in April to discuss whether IHP+ could be a possible platform to take forward such issues. 

The IHP+ Core Team develops an initial draft concept note.

​​​​​​​April 2016

The IHP+ Steering Committee decided to recommend to the IHP+ Signatories to broaden the scope of IHP+ to include facilitating moving towards UHC and better coordinated HSS and offer participation to a broader range of partners. 

An online survey of IHP+ signatories showed that 87% of respondents are very much in favour of IHP+ expanding its mandate. 

​​​​​​​May 2016

In response to a second letter from the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, IHP+ signatories agreed to expand the scope of IHP+ on 19th May 2016.

The IHP+ Core Team further develops the concept note (May version).

Civil society develops an options note for engagement with UHC 2030.

G7 Ise-Shime summit communique states support for the International Health Partnership for UHC 2030.

June 2016

The IHP+ Core Team further develops the concept note (June version) 

21 June: the IHP+ Steering Committee decides on key governance issues.

22-23 June: the first multi-stakeholder consultation takes place on operationalizing the objectives of UHC 2030. 

​​​​​​​July - Aug - Sept 2016

Public online consultation on operationalising the objectives of the International Health Partnership for UHC 2030.

27-28 August: Heads of State and Delegations at the sixth Toykyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) declare support for the International Health Partnership for UHC 2030. 

11-12 September: G7 Health Ministers reaffirm their support for the International Heath Partnership for UHC 2030.

19 September: launch of questionnaire for CSOs (now closed) to give their views on the CSO engagement mechanism for the International Heath Partnership for UHC 2030.

22 September: Transforming IHP+ into UHC2030 - the Director General of WHO formally announced the establishment of the ‘International Health Partnership for UHC 2030’ to the broader international community at a high-level event on UHC during UNGA in New York. Watch a video of the announcement

​​​​​​​December 2016

12 December: first meeting of the transitional UHC 2030 Steering Committee 

12 December: 18.00 - 19.15 GVA: UHC Day celebration public event.

12-13 December: UHC2030 meeting - Working Together to Strengthen Health Systems. See photos of the meeting

Films of day two event held on 12 December: 

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