Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s participation in the G7 Health Follow-up Side Event (Summary)

On September 21 at 8 pm (local time), Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, delivered the opening remarks at the G7 Health Follow-up Side Event, “Toward More Resilient, Equitable, and Sustainable Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 - Equitable Access to Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Impact Investment Initiative (Triple I) for Global Health -,” co-organized by the Japan Society and the Government of Japan. In addition to Prime Minister Kishida, Mr. TAKEMI Keizo, Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan, H.E. Dr. Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, and Dr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, participated in the event.

1. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kishida stressed that efforts to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) for future health emergencies and to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) - especially ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCMs) including vaccines and smooth mobilization of financial resources - are challenges for the entire world, including developing countries.
2. The G7 launched "the MCM Delivery Partnership for Equitable Access (MCDP)” based on the "the G7 Hiroshima Vision for Equitable Access to Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)" announced at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. Prime Minister Kishida further stated that Japan will advance MCDP, which will draw on knowledge and lessons learned from Japan’s “Last One Mile Support” for COVID-19 vaccines and enhance equitable access to MCMs.
3. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that to ensure smooth financing it is necessary to expand mobilization of domestic financial resources and accelerate international cooperation and mobilization of private financial resources. He also announced the launch of Japan’s new ODA loan program for pandemic PPR. In tandem with technical cooperation, this package will provide increased support for borrowing countries aligned with their efforts to strengthen prevention and preparedness, and will promptly supply financial resources necessary to respond to a pandemic.
4. To facilitate private financing, Prime Minister Kishida also announced the launch of the “Triple I for Global Health”, an impact investment initiative, which was endorsed at the Hiroshima Summit and will accelerate mobilization of private financial resources. He called for further participation in the Triple I initiative by companies and organizations in each country.
5. In conclusion, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan will steadfastly advance the MCDP, the new financing package, and the Triple I initiative to achieve UHC and strengthen PPR in close cooperation with diverse stakeholders.
6. At the G7 Health Follow-up Side Event, the importance of enhancing equitable access to MCM including through MCDP was confirmed, and new initiatives were announced to ensure smooth financial resource mobilization, including the launch of Japan’s new ODA loan program for pandemic PPR and the launch of the Triple I, an initiative to accelerate private financial resource mobilization through impact investments. The International community reaffirmed their commitment to achieving UHC and strengthening PPR.

(Reference1) Opening Remarks by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio

(Reference2) G7 Health Outcomes (Hiroshima Summit and Health Ministers’ Meeting in Nagasaki)

(Reference3) Establishment of Financing Package for Pandemic PPR

(Reference4) Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
UHC means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.