France has called upon both national and international stakeholders to join hands in constructing a novel global health framework focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a specific emphasis on SDG3, aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at every stage of life.
The call was given at an event held in Lyon, where France unveiled its Global Health Strategy 2023-2027 in the presence of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ms Catherine Colonna, Minister for Health and Prevention Mr Aurélien Rousseau, Minister for Higher Education and Research Ms Sylvie Retailleau, alongside the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The comprehensive health strategy aims to combat health disparities and bolster the ‘One Health’ approach, enhancing preparedness for future global health crises. France urges global collaboration to address the health impacts of climate change and environmental influences on health systems.
WHO DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressing the attendees at the Academy and IARC said, "France has been a steadfast ally to WHO since its inception 75 years ago. As one of the world's leading economies, France has a crucial role to play in global health, and the new Global Health Strategy will reinforce that role. It aligns closely with WHO's key priorities to promote, provide, protect, empower, and perform for health."
Aligned with WHO's objectives, France shares critical health priorities, adopting an inclusive approach and prioritising universal health coverage (UHC) within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. France continues to support transformative initiatives at WHO, including the WHO Academy and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
"The WHO, celebrating its 74th anniversary today, must continue to play a central and leading role," said Ms Catherine Colonna. "France remains committed to supporting the WHO and its ambitious governance and financing reforms," she added.
"France stands in collaboration with the WHO Academy through various partnerships with universities, research institutes, and public health institutions," highlighted Sylvie Retailleau. "Our aim is to enrich the learners' experience through a diverse training portfolio within the Academy," she added.
"The launch of this Global Health Strategy provides an opportune moment to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the WHO. The Organization plays a central role in global health, and we must continue to extend our support," emphasised Mr Aurélien Rousseau. "Therefore, I announce today that France is eager to host, in the first quarter of 2024, in partnership with the WHO, the inaugural international financing conference for the fight against meningitis."
The 2023-2027 French Strategy for Global Health was the result of collaborative efforts involving a diverse array of French stakeholders, including public agencies, civil society organizations, higher education and research institutions, scientific bodies, foundations, organizations of health specialists in the domains of human, animal, and environmental health, local governmental bodies, and the private sector. All these entities will be represented within a monitoring committee tasked with overseeing the implementation and progress of the strategy.
