Japan and the United Nations

1. Japan, together with other co-organisers, hosted a side event titled “Post-2015: Health and Development” at Japan Society in New York for 1.5 hours from 11 am on 25 September 2013. This side event discussed the relevance of universal health coverage (UHC), which ensures access to essential health-care services for all, in the post-2015 development agenda. It was chaired by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and opening remarks were made by Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, Ms. Helen Clark, Chair of UNDG and Administrator of UNDP on behalf of the Secretary-General of the UN and Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group

2. In the first session, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO and Mr. Pascal Canfin, Minister for Development of France gave their presentations on the role of UHC in the post-2015 development agenda. The panelists and audience reaffirmed the significance of UHC which responds to diversified health needs and works toward the society with greater equity.

 

3. The second session had discussions on major challenges related to health in the post-2015 development agenda. Presentations were given by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Lola Dare, CEO of CESTRAD and Mr. Justin Forsyth, CEO of Save the Children UK followed by the comment by Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. Various ideas and viewpoints were presented on how to position UHC in the post-2015 development agenda.

 

4. Many speakers made specific mention to Prime Minister Abe’s article in the Lancet in their statements and commended Japan’s leadership in promoting human security and health.

 

5. Foreign Minister Kishida gave his concluding remarks, stressing the significance of human security and UHC in order to address challenges in the health sector and that they should be positioned appropriately in the post-2015 development agenda.