Advocacy Update
G7 Health Ministerial Communiqué
G7 health ministers convened in Italy earlier this month. Key topics of the discussion included the rising cases of Mpox, the health impacts of ongoing conflicts, and the state of global health financing. In the Health Ministers’ Communiqué, the G7 health ministers reaffirmed their support for ongoing processes, such as the WHO Investment Round, Gavi’s replenishment, and the Pandemic Fund. They also recognized the Fourth High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, and they approved a policy brief on Artificial Intelligence. The group delivered specific endorsements on the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including a commitment to reduce AMR mortality by 10%, and committed to holding a follow-up high-level conference on the issue by the end of the year. The G7 presidency will shift to Canada next year, prompting potential changes in focus during the new term.
Pandemic Fund Allocates Second Round of Grants
Earlier this month, the Pandemic Fund Governing Board approved US$547 million in new grants designed to bolster pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities in 40 countries across six geographical regions. These grants will help countries to strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems, upgrade laboratories, and build the health workforce.
IDA21 Replenishment
The 21st replenishment for the International Development Association (IDA) is currently underway and will run through December 2024, when the full policy package will be developed. The theme of the replenishment is Ending Poverty on a Livable Planet: Delivering Impact with Urgency and Ambition. There are five focus areas for this initiative: People, Planet, Prosperity, Digital Transformation, and Infrastructure.
IDA21 is an important opportunity for civil society to engage with the World Bank, helping to bolster the financing required to fight existing poverty and health inequities around the globe while also ensuring support to meet the direct needs of people.
SIGHT Act
Last month, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Supporting Innovative Global Health Technologies (SIGHT) Act, legislation empowering the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to boost its research and development capabilities for health care technologies in low- and middle-income countries. The introduction of the SIGHT Act in the Senate follows the introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (D-PA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) last November. The SIGHT Act has been endorsed by many global health organizations, including Global Health Council. To keep track of how the SIGHT Act and other U.S. global health legislation are progressing, visit GHC’s Global Health Briefing Book Progress Report.