The 2023 UN High-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC) provides countries and all stakeholders an opportunity to reinvigorate progress towards delivering health for all. An action-oriented outcome focusing on building resilient and equitable health systems is key to provide the basis for implementation and accountability, building on the 2019 Political Declaration.
In September 2019, at the first United Nations High-Level Meeting on UHC (UN HLM) UHC), world leaders endorsed the most ambitious and comprehensive political declaration on health in history. However, according to the latest global monitoring report on universal health coverage, UHC progress is not on track, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world further away from the 2023 targets set by the political declaration:
UHC2030’s latest State of UHC Commitment Review Key Findings also find that in 2022, progress on UHC has stalled and in some cases has reversed.
Accelerating progress towards universal health coverage and delivering on political commitments made in 2019 has never been more urgent. Concrete action is needed to strengthen equitable health systems – including public health functions that are critical for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Ahead of the September 2023 High-level meeting, an interactive multi-stakeholder hearing will be held on 8-9 May, 2023 by the President of the UN General Assembly. Alongside an Action Agenda from the UHC Movement, the hearing's summary report will be taken into account for the 2023 Political Declaration.
The Action Agenda from the UHC Movement has been drafted by an inclusive, multi-stakeholder Task Force, which brings together twenty representatives from UHC2030 constituencies and beyond. Building on the 2019 Key Asks and 2019 Political Declaration commitment areas, the Action Agenda is based on the latest data to address the challenges of the global health context.
A public consultation took place from January 6th to February 6th, 2023. Its results will help to finalize the Action Agenda. The Action Agenda, with action-oriented policy recommendations and concrete milestones, will be presented to the President of the UN General Assembly ahead of the 2023 UHC political declaration negotiation.
There are many ways to engage, advocate, and participate in the run-up to the September 2023 High-level meeting on UHC. Find more information and resources to use here.