6 June 2017
G20 Holds First Meeting of Health Ministers
Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
story highlights

The first-ever meeting of health ministers of the Group of 20 met in Berlin, Germany, from 19-20 May 2017, as global health has become a constant item on the G20's agenda.

The Berlin Declaration addresses global health crises management, strengthening of national health systems and support for developing countries, and combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

22 May 2017: The health ministers of the Group of 20 (G20) met for the first time, following the addition of global health as a constant item on the G20’s agenda. In a declaration, the ministers address global health crises management, strengthening of national health systems and support for developing countries, and combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The ministers met in Berlin, Germany, from 19-20 May 2017, under the theme. ‘Together Today for a Healthy Tomorrow – Joint Commitment for Shaping Global Health.’ In addition to adopting the Berlin Declaration, ministers also took part in a health emergency simulation exercise on preventing, detecting and responding to potential infectious disease pandemics.

In a keynote address, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan cited global health security as a “universal threat that demands global solidarity.” She highlighted the revised International Health Regulations, which aim to detect and contain disease outbreaks at their source, and are addressed by SDG target 3.d.1. Chan also noted the establishment of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations in January 2017, with initial funding of almost US$500 million and the objective of developing affordable vaccines for priority pathogens, in order to be able to respond “to the next inevitable outbreak.” Finally, she discussed the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, which focuses on developing new antibiotics for treating sepsis and sexually transmitted infections.

The meeting discussed many of the issues addressed by targets under SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), including SDG target 3.b (research and development of medicines and vaccines).

In preparation for the meeting, a newly established Health Working Group met in Berlin from 28 February-2 March 2017, in order to prepare the health priorities of the German G20 Presidency and the joint declaration by the health ministers. [Meeting Webpage] [Berlin Declaration of the G20 Health Ministers] [Statement of WHO Director-General] [Germany Press Release, 19 May] [Germany Press Release, 20 May] [Working Group Meeting]

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