UN Chief on Universal Health Coverage - UN General Assembly

but you'll proceed like president your excellencies ladies and gentlemen I would like to apologize because I won't be able to stay at this meeting for very long I have five summits today and 30 bilateral meetings so of course you will understand that it's quite impossible for me to attend all of the meeting I would like to welcome you to this high-level meeting we are here today to champion a cause that is connected to all our development objectives health

for all everyone everywhere has the right to accessible high quality affordable care that promotes physical and mental health and addresses the needs of women and men girls and boys including during conflict and humanitarian crises shockingly half of the world's people are still waiting to exercise that right and this has serious consequences for all of humanity every year some 100 million people around the

world are impoverished as a result of catastrophic health care expenses even when health care is available it often fails to cover the full spectrum of human suffering mental health conditions caused enormous anguish to individuals and their loved ones they have been neglected and stigmatized for too long this injustice must stop and weak health

care systems also pose a risk that goes far beyond national borders health for all is an investment in people in their well-being and in healthy and prosperous societies universal health coverage has proved to be a catalyst for economic growth that benefits individuals families communities businesses and economies good health is both an outcome

and a driver of economic and social progress that is why universal health coverage is at the center of the 2030 agenda and is in several inseparable from all of our work on sustainable development be it climate climate change or gender equality or indeed sustainable financing or zero hunger the 2030 agenda is a generational opportunity to address the

social drivers that leads to good health and well-being it will help prevent illness through sustainable food systems improved diets and access to safe water and sanitation the 2030 agenda is also a global call for tronc for transport policies that reduce pollution and for strengthened governance that enables the efficient delivery of health services to people we must seize this opportunity

seize ladies and gentlemen today is an important landmark on our journey to health for all the political declaration in front of us is the most comprehensive aggrievement ever reached on global health a vision for universal health coverage by 2030 I congratulate all member states and particularly the co-facilitators georgian thailand for their efforts to reach consensus this is a significant achievement that will drive progress over the next decade on

communicable diseases including hiv/aids tuberculosis and malaria while addressing non communicable disease and antimicrobial resistance through robust and resilient primary health care systems I saw firsthand the vital need for such systems when I met health workers and patients affected by the Ebola outbreak during my recent trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo the political declaration also states the need to ensure universal access to

sexual and reproductive health care services and reproductive rights it is essential to protect the well-being and dignity of women and many countries around the pass many countries around the passed towards achieving else for all by 2030 others will need to accelerate their effort so that no country community or person is left behind we urgently need to change the financing paradigm and step up the

place the pace of investment in house for all through joint efforts including the global action plan for LC lives and well-being for all and every women every child the United Nations is ready to support you with our convening power knowledge and expertise multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative cross-sectoral investments will be essential to success by making universal health coverage a reality by 2030 depends first and foremost on bold

national leadership your presence here today confirms your commitment to this cause let us all be champions of else for all and I thank you for your attention [Applause]