On 6 – 7 February 2017, Mrs. Busaya Mathelin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with Dr. Somsak Akksilp, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, co-chaired the High-Level Foreign Policy and Global Health Retreat in Bangkok and Samut Sakhon Province on the occasion of Thailand's assumption of the Chairmanship of the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative (FPGH) in 2017. The Retreat began the process of consultation and exchange of views among member countries on the FPGH work plan for 2017 under the theme “Addressing the health of vulnerable populations for an inclusive society”. The Retreat was attended by participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health from seven FPGH member countries, namely Brazil, France, Norway, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Thailand.

 

On 6 February 2017, the participants reviewed the implementation of initiatives and assessed the achievements of the FPGH over the past ten years since 2006. The group has been able to build international awareness on the nexus between foreign policy and health issues despite the multiplicity of member countries. The key achievement of the FPGH is in setting the global health agenda through Global Health and Foreign Policy resolutions proposed to United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annually. The participants extensively discussed the need to revitalize the Oslo Political Declaration for the FPGH to address new and important global health issues. The Retreat was also an opportunity to discuss current health challenges and health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which the FPGH will seek to actively engage in.

 

On 7 February 2017, participants attended a study visit to Samut Sakhon Hospital, Baan Kamphra District Health Promoting Hospital and St. Ann Catholic Center for Migrants. The visit showcased the determination of the Thai government and non-governmental organizations to ensure access to health services for migrant workers and to provide access to basic education for migrant workers’ children.