Message from Rajat Khosla, PMNCH Executive Director - October 2024

11 October 2024
Statement
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Dear PMNCH Partners,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your active engagement and contributions during the recent 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79). As a global partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents, our presence at these critical discussions could not have been more timely or significant.

Highlights from PMNCH’s Engagement at UNGA 79

During UNGA 79, your partnership co-organized five high-impact events, each aimed at advancing key priorities for women, children, and adolescents:

  1. “PMNCH Annual Accountability Breakfast: Accelerating action and accountability to end preventable maternal, newborn and child mortality”. This flagship event highlighted the urgent need for transparency and accountability in fulfilling commitments to women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health. High-level speakers emphasized the importance of evidence-based advocacy and the critical role of civil society in tracking progress. Outcome: Over 25 speakers shared their commitment and shared practical insights how to accelerate the implementation of the  77th World Health Assembly resolution (WHA77) on accelerating progress on maternal, newborn and child mortality  at the country level. 
  2. "Securing the Health and Rights of Every Woman and Adolescent" Co-organized by the Network of Global Leaders, the event saw the extraordinary participation of four Heads of State - H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, H.E. Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, H.E. Mr Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, President of Liberia, and H.E. Mr Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwaand, Prime Minister of Tanzania - and two Ministers - Hon. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health of Senegal and Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone - who delivered interventions on behalf of their Heads of State, and all three principals of UN Agencies with the presence of Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA, Catherine Russell, UNICEF and Dr. Tedros, WHO. This event discussed the persisting gaps in health systems that disproportionately affect women and adolescents, particularly in conflict and post-conflict settings. The discussions underscored the need for comprehensive healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services, and the integration of these services into universal health coverage. Outcome: New commitments were made by participating countries to strengthen health systems and increase funding for SRHR services, with a focus on reaching marginalized communities.
  3. "Future Forward: Shaping Adolescent Well-being Beyond 2030 (Youth Power Summit)" This youth-driven event, led by young advocates from around the world, focused on shaping policies to promote adolescent well-being beyond the 2030 Agenda. Key themes included mental health, education, and the role of adolescents in climate action. Outcome: The launch of a powerful call to action calling for young people’s voices to be central to shaping national and global policies affecting their futures.
  4. "Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Advancing the Agenda for a Sustainable Future" This event explored the critical role of SRHR in achieving sustainable development, emphasizing the intersection between adolescent health and broader societal outcomes. Panelists discussed strategies for overcoming barriers to SRHR services, including legal restrictions, stigma, and inadequate funding. Outcome: New scientific publication released by the WHO during the event called for increased investment to address evolving health risks and meet the mental and sexual and reproductive health needs for the nearly 1.3 billion adolescents (aged 10-19 years) globally.
  5. "Strengthening Health Data Governance for Improved Outcomes: Leadership, Collaboration and Action

This event focused on the importance of robust data governance to ensure that health information systems are effective, inclusive, and capable of driving improved health outcomes. It addressed challenges such as data privacy, equity, and the need for disaggregated data to inform policy-making. Outcome: Exchange in perspectives on how to improve health data governance, with the goal of creating more transparent, accountable, and equitable data systems by 2025.

Broader Outcomes of UNGA 79 and the Summit of the Future

This year’s UNGA, alongside the discussions at the Summit of the Future, yielded several key commitments relevant to the health and rights of women, children, and adolescents. These commitments were reflected in the evolving “Pact for the Future”, which aims to reinvigorate multilateralism and strengthen global cooperation towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key outcomes included commitments to:

  • Achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls as a crucial contribution to progress across all the Sustainable Development Goals and targets;
  • Invest in the social and economic development of children and young people so that they can reach their full potential;
  • Take comprehensive and targeted measures to eradicate poverty by addressing the multidimensional nature of poverty, including through rural development strategies and investments and innovations in the social sector, especially education and health; and
  • And address key health priorities ranging from Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development 9 and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.

Continued Action in Light of Recent Escalations

As we move forward, the situation on the ground remains complex and ever-changing. The recent escalation of violence in the Middle East and other ongoing conflicts in various regions underscore the vulnerability of women, children, and adolescents in humanitarian settings. These events are a stark reminder that our work is far from over. We must continue to advocate for the protection of health and human rights for those most affected by conflict, displacement, and crisis.

Now more than ever, solidarity and collective action are crucial. I urge all of us to remain engaged, leveraging our unique strengths as a partnership to promote peace, equity, and the right to health for every woman, child, and adolescent. Together, we can turn commitments into meaningful change.

Thank you once again for your dedication and support.

Warm regards,

Rajat Khosla