Message from Rajat Khosla, PMNCH Executive Director - June 2025

Dear colleagues and partners,  

As we reach the mid-point of the year, the month of June has brought a sobering reminder of the challenges we face globally. We are witnessing an uptick in conflict and instability across several regions—developments that disproportionately impact women, children, and adolescents. In humanitarian settings, these groups continue to bear the brunt of disrupted health systems, displacement, and insecurity. 

This month’s G7 Summit highlighted several pressing global issues—from conflict and climate change to technological innovation and infrastructure. However, what was noticeably absent was a focus on how these global shifts are affecting the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. Economic and political decisions cannot be made in isolation from their human impact. It is imperative that leaders take a more integrated view—one that puts people, and particularly women, children, and adolescents, at the center of global dialogue and decision-making. 

We welcome signs of such integration in other fora. The recent BRICS Ministerial Declaration, which launched a partnership on socially determined diseases, is a promising step toward addressing equity. We commend this initiative and urge that women, children, and adolescents—so often those most affected by social determinants—remain a priority in this work.  We hope that the ongoing discussions around the upcoming Fourth International Financing For Development Conference, and the various G20 touchpoints will provide the adequate focus to these issues. 

Looking ahead, we are preparing to engage at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), where countries will report on progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. This is a crucial moment to assess where we stand, and to double down on efforts that drive real impact.   

PMNCH remains committed to supporting effective policy making and implementation, as we have seen through our recent “Ready! Set! Implement!” policy dialogue on nutrition, and with the launch of the Born Too Soon Supplement: Progress, Priorities and Pivots for Preterm Birth, which continues to provide critical evidence to guide action for the most vulnerable. 

In a time of growing global uncertainty, our shared commitment to equity, health, and rights must remain unwavering. We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.