Executive Director's Spotlight on Government of India

This month, I am honoured to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the Government of India and its leadership of the G20 Presidency. Their steadfast commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and peace, demonstrated through constructive dialogue and accelerated development, has been key for the focus on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents.

In 2005, the Government of India played a pivotal role in the founding of PMNCH as a unified partnership, bringing together 80 organizations under three separate partnerships focused on Safe Motherhood, Newborn Health, and Child Survival. The ‘Delhi Declaration’, a landmark statement developed in 2005, outlined PMNCH’s vision and goals.  

Over the years, the Government of India has provided invaluable guidance by leading key governing bodies of PMNCH, including the Board, Executive Committee, and the Partner Engagement in Countries Committee. The Government of India has facilitated the organization of two Partners’ Forums (2010 and 2018), and have championed PMNCH’s efforts in promoting adolescent well-being and meaningful adolescent and youth engagement. India’s endorsement of the Call to Action for Adolescents  and the Adolescent Well-being Framework, alongside 29 global champions in an open letter in the BMJ, are just some examples of their support. Most recently, India made significant contributions to the Adolescent Well-being BMJ Collection, and has been at the forefront of the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign and the upcoming Global Forum for Adolescents on 11-12 October 2023.

From 20 – 22 June, PMNCH is partnering with India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  to organize two events in support of India’s G20 Presidency. These events aim to prioritize the well-being of women, children and adolescents while advocating for increased investments, paving the way towards a healthier, brighter and more sustainable future. 

One of these events, aligned  with the G20 Presidency’s theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, will bring together diverse, multisectoral stakeholders on a single platform to discuss challenges and inspire action for the 1.8 billion adolescents and youth in the world today. This high-level event will set the tone for a series of events leading up to the Global Forum for Adolescents in October 2023. Additionally, the PMNCH Board meeting in Delhi on June 21-22 will feature discussions on leveraging the G20 platform to strengthen leadership and policy actions for women, children and adolescents, as well as the need for country-led commitments targeting this population group.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Dr Zoya Ali Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner, Adolescent Health, for their exceptional advocacy and support throughout our endeavours. Their unwavering commitment as partners for change has been instrumental in driving positive change.