In September 2023, three health-related UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings were held, focusing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and Tuberculosis (TB). Capitalizing on that timing, the Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) and its partners co-hosted a public event in New York to highlight inclusive health systems as a key common factor to address all three of these areas. In particular, the goal was to explore how the battle against AIDS, TB, and malaria can enhance healthcare systems, especially at the primary level.

FGFJ co-hosted the event with three other organizations supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund)—Friends of the Global Fight (US), Friends of the Global Fund, Europe, and Fund for the Global Fund.

The event featured speakers from both implementing and donor countries. It began with a keynote speech by His Excellency Budi Gunadi Sadikin, health minister of Indonesia, followed by a panel discussion featuring government officials and experts from Japan, the United States, Europe, and the Global Fund, and closing remarks from a representative of the European Commission. Approximately 100 people from across the world attended, including health experts and representatives from government, the private sector, and civil society.

This meeting proved to be a valuable opportunity for FGFJ and its partners to reinforce the message that the foundation for achieving UHC, PPR, and tuberculosis control lies in patient-centered, inclusive healthcare system strengthening. It also helped bring together representatives from Japan, Europe, and the United States with those from the Global South to align our perspectives on the role of the Global Fund in solidifying this foundation through the fight against the three infectious diseases.