22 May 2018: UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Miroslav Lajcak has appointed the permanent representatives of Hungary and Thailand to act as co-facilitators for preparations towards a high-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC). The Assembly resolved, on 12 December 2017, to organize the meeting in 2019, before the end of its 74th session (Resolution 72/139).

Katalin Annamária Bogyay, Hungary, and Vitavas Srivihok, Thailand, are tasked with facilitating an open and transparent consultation process with UN Member States to propose modalities for the meeting.

In SDG target 3.8, countries commit to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

In the 2017 UNGA resolution, UN Member States underscore the need for “enhanced international cooperation and assistance” to help governments implement universal access to health services. The Assembly also, by that text, “decides to hold a high-level meeting in 2019 on universal health coverage, and requests the President of the General Assembly, in close collaboration with the Director General of the World Health Organization and in consultation with Member States, to propose options and modalities for the conduct of such a meeting, with a view to ensuring the most effective and efficient outcomes, including potential deliverables, complementing and building on existing efforts in this regard,” with those modalities discussions to conclude by the end of UNGA 72. [Letter from UNGA President] [A/RES/72/139]