Rio de Janeiro, 1 November 2024 – Unitaid welcomes yesterday’s G20 Health Working Group Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change, Health and Equity, and on One Health and the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of the G20 Health Ministers. These declarations underscore the urgent need for resilient and equitable health systems that can adapt to the growing challenges of climate change, pandemics, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), prioritizing sustainable, low-carbon solutions and enhanced access to essential health services for vulnerable communities. Unitaid is committed to advancing these shared objectives through its work to make lifesaving health products accessible and affordable for low- and middle-income countries, building health systems that can better withstand the pressures of future pandemics and climate-related challenges.
Unitaid is pleased to be recognized as a key contributor to the newly established Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access, an initiative set forth by the G20 to drive voluntary collaboration in health product manufacturing and equitable access. The coalition is focused on building up regional capacity to produce essential health products – such as diagnostics, treatments and vaccines – especially for neglected diseases and vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries. By fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge and transferring technology, the coalition’s work aligns closely with Unitaid’s approach to regional manufacturing and equitable access. Through efforts like market commitments and regional regulatory support, the coalition is set to advance equitable access where it is most needed.
The G20 Health Working Group Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change, Health and Equity, and on One Health reflects a critical understanding of climate change as an existential health risk, emphasizing the importance of “One Health” and resilient health systems. Unitaid’s Climate and Health Strategy aligns directly with these goals by promoting climate-smart health products – tools designed to be not harmful, resilient, responsive to the needs of populations affected by climate change and locally adapted. For example, Unitaid’s investments in heat-stable products, such as heat-stable carbetocin that prevents postpartum hemorrhage, will save lives as temperatures continue to rise where reliable cold storage is unavailable.
Advancing the G20 health agenda, Unitaid is tackling urgent oxygen shortages, pandemic preparedness, and health system resilience in low-resource settings. Through a recent call for proposals and a US$22 million investment in East Africa’s first regional oxygen manufacturing initiative, production of medical oxygen in Kenya and Tanzania is set to increase by 300%, reducing costs and expanding access. As a co-leader of the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO2AL), Unitaid launched a US$4 billion Global Oxygen Strategic Framework and Investment Case to save an estimated 860,000 lives, embedding sustainable oxygen access into health systems to further universal health coverage.
This commitment aligns with Brazil’s G20 priorities and the 100 Days Mission – a global initiative Unitaid supports to fast-track essential health tools. The 100 Days Mission aims to have lifesaving diagnostics, treatments and vaccines ready within 100 days of identifying a pandemic threat. By leveraging lessons from COVID-19, the mission seeks to create a rapid, affordable and accessible response to global health emergencies, including crises like the ongoing mpox outbreak. Innovations such as AI diagnostics for TB and cervical cancer in Unitaid’s extensive portfolio ensure that health systems can meet immediate needs and build long-term resilience against climate and health emergencies.
Looking ahead to COP29, Unitaid will showcase its efforts to decarbonize health supply chains at an event titled “Climate-smart medicines: The path to decarbonizing HIV treatments”, to be held 14 November in the WHO Pavilion. This event will highlight Unitaid’s work to reduce the carbon footprint of dolutegravir (DTG), an essential HIV medicine, demonstrating practical approaches to making health supply chains more sustainable.
These declarations affirm a shared commitment to strengthening health systems in a sustainable, inclusive manner. At Unitaid, we believe that equitable access to health products, regional manufacturing and sustainable, climate-smart health innovations are essential to achieving the G20’s vision. We look forward to continuing our work toward universal health coverage, resilient health systems and a safer, healthier future for all.
Dr. Philippe Duneton
Executive Director, Unitaid
