April 19th, 2019, prior to the C20 related conferences, Africa Japan Forum, with the collaboration of JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning) organized C20 Global Health Round Table at Hoso-Kaikan in Chiyoda-ward of Tokyo. It aimed at presenting policy asks from C20 global health working group and facilitating a dialogue with G20 health working group. The dialogue is expected to add civil society perspectives to the G20 processes. (The asks are compiled in "C20 Policy Pack" with other working group. You can download PDF version from here.)
The Round Table was attended by 6 government officials including Ms. IKEDA, Chieko (G20 Health Working Group/ Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare), Mr. KIYA, Masahiko (G20 Health Working Group/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Mr. MIYAHARA, Takashi (G20 Financial Track/ Ministry of Finance).
The Round Table started with welcome remarks from INABA, Masaki, director of Global Health Program of Africa Japan Forum, and local coordinator of C20 global health working group, followed by presentations from civil society members. Along with three pillars of G20 health working group agenda, summary of asks on UHC (Universal Health Coverage) and finance, active ageing , and health risk management and health security were presented.
Ms. IKEDA welcomed the recommendations from civil society as comprehensive and concise. Then, she shared some of the focuses from ongoing discussion by G20 health working group. It included the importance of primary health care and capacity building not only of health care providers but also local governments for UHC, importance of prevention and promotion of healthy life, multi-sector approach for active ageing. In terms of health risk management and health emergency, while she recognized that governments are always care about its prevention and quick response, she highlighted needed financial support for sustainable system. As for AMR measure, she pointed out that implementation of "One Health" approach and necessary monitoring of national action plan have been discussed among G20.
Mr. KIYA emphasized the importance of health issues for economic development. Also he suggested to achieve the goal by playing different roles of government and civil society, and requested the civil society not to depend on government finance for implementation. As he recognized himself as a fan of Global Fund, he also pointed out the importance of public support in developed countries and domestic resource mobilization in developing countries for fully funded Global Fund.
Following G20 health working group, Mr. MIYAHARA commented from the perspective of financial track. He stressed the uniqueness of this year's G20 financial track calling attention for the agenda on global health issues. He, at the same time, clarified that global health is addressed in financial track as agenda for global growth and human capital investment as a key for sustainable economic growth.
From civil society members, practical application of "no one left behind" as a key and essential element of achieving goals of global health issues was also pointed out.
Four members from T20 (Think 20) Health Working Group also joined the discussion. One of the T20 members, Ms. HAYASHI, Reiko appreciated collaboration made with C20 and encouraged civil society to take more role on different aspects of health issues and strengthen the health system from community level to national level.
Mr. Frieder, KURT, international coordinator of C20 global health working group, wrapped up the session by highlighting the challenges we face and importance of actions taken from tomorrow.