On 21 September 2023, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and  Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the side event on “Toward more resilient, equitable and sustainable Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 2030 – Equitable Access to Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Impact Investment Initiative (Triple I) for Global Health,” hosted by the Government of Japan.

The side event, organised on the margins of the High-level Week of the 78th  Session of the UN General Assembly, was chaired by Prime Minister of Japan and brought together global health stakeholders such as the G20 Presidency, WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as well as the private sector to discuss a path towards achieving more resilient, more equitable and more sustainable UHC through social and financial innovations, such as efforts to enhance equitable access to MCMs and innovative financing through Impact Investments Initiative (Triple I) for global health. It also serves as a platform for stakeholders to share their vision and progress on achieving UHC with the international community, while calling for further cooperation.

At this event, DPM/FM urged stakeholders to invest more in both physical and mental health while promoting the well-being of the people, by responding to their needs and supporting the development of global public goods for health.

He also commended Japan’s leadership in initiating the Medical Countermeasures Delivery Partnership for Equitable Access (MCDP) and the Triple I for Global Health which was endorsed at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May this year as an example of social and financial innovations that can help achieve UHC by 2030.  These would complement the efforts to reform the global health architecture.

Furthermore, DPM/FM emphasised that Thailand would continue its investment in UHC, including through a “Universal Coverage Scheme-plus”, by further expanding benefits package, including on health promotion and palliative care, and promoting more efficiency and convenience of health services provided at all levels.

DPM/FM also invited stakeholders to work together to put Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Targets, including SDG 3 on health and well-being, back on track to ensure a sustainable recovery of economies and societies in the post COVID-19 era.

On this occasion, Prime Minister of Japan also expressed his appreciation to Thailand for her active role in health security promotion.