28 March 2013
UN Secretary-General Outlines Health Components of Post-2015 Agenda
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Addressing the Global Colloquium of University Presidents, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed the post-2015 development framework and “the vital place of health within it." The seventh annual gathering took place at New York University, New York, US, on 13 March, under the theme of global health and the future development framework.

13 March 2013: Addressing the Global Colloquium of University Presidents, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed the post-2015 development framework and “the vital place of health within it.” The seventh annual gathering took place at New York University, New York, US, on 13 March, under the theme of global health and the future development framework.

On the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the unfinished health agenda, Ban described a new business model that has evolved as a result of the MDGs, which is exemplified by his “Every Woman Every Child” initiative. He noted that 1,000 days remain to fulfill the MDGs, stressed the benefits of investing in women’s and children’s health, and said “there will be much to achieve beyond 2015.”

Ban highlighted the global thematic consultation on health organized by the UN Development Group (UNDG) and led by the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Governments of Botswana and Sweden. He noted “growing consensus” on: the need for all development goals to include health targets; the importance of accountability, access and affordability; the importance of evidence-based measures; and the need to improve measurement capacities. He also highlighted: the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) comprised of research centers, universities and technical institutions; and the intergovernmental process to define a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ban expressed hope that governments will “reach consensus on an ambitious and coherent global agenda with a single set of goals by 2015” to succeed the MDGs.

Regarding a possible future goal, he said emerging themes include universal health coverage, and maximizing life expectancy.

Finally, Ban called upon members of the academic community to help build capacity, promote best practices, deliver a prioritized and coordinated global research agenda, and join the UN Academic Impact initiative. [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [Website for 7th Global Colloquium of University Presidents]

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