On 24 April, senior government officials from health ministries across the Commonwealth met prior to the 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting to discuss investments to support health systems amid the current global financial context that has placed many vulnerable nations at risk.
At a preparatory Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mrs. Maneo Ntene, delegates outlined the priorities for the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM) to be held in Geneva on 17 May 2025. These include climate adaptation and resilience, non-communicable diseases, cancers, healthy ageing and digital health innovations.
They emphasised the importance of unlocking new resources to promote health equity and develop stronger, greener, and better-funded health systems.
An invitation to the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting 2025 from Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Unified action on climate, equity and sustainable financing for health
Over 70 delegates attended the high-level virtual meeting. They made wide-ranging interventions on non-communicable diseases, mental health and the impact of climate on health.
The Deputy Executive Director, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia, Dr Theo-Ben Kandetu, advocated for a multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach to addressing the effects of climate change and sustainable financing to build health systems that are more responsive and agile to the needs of people in Low—and Middle-Income countries (LMICS).
The Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Eswatini, Dr Velephi Okello, contributed to the agenda items by addressing broader issues such as the role of civil society in tackling challenges related to the supply chain and access to essential medicines and vaccines.
Dr. Anne Gallagher, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, emphasised the importance of civil society collaborating with governments to improve health justice. She noted that while such partnerships are valuable, there's increasing recognition that achieving health equity requires moving beyond isolated, sector-specific efforts. Instead, a more unified and collaborative approach focused on shared, universal goals is more effective.
At the end of the meeting, delegates stressed the need to enhance collaboration among various stakeholders from the private sector, philanthropy, and international finance organisations to establish well-funded and environmentally sustainable health institutions. This approach aligns with the Lusaka Agenda, which calls for coordinated efforts to mobilise resources.
As they concluded, they highlighted the successful finalisation of the Pandemic Accord, which incorporates principles of sustainable financing. They underscored the need for Commonwealth countries to work to implement the New Pandemic Accord to ensure equitable health outcomes.
Looking ahead to the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting
Health Ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and advocates will join the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, for 37CHMM in May.
Ministers are expected to make significant progress in addressing the challenges of sustainable health financing, paving the way for delivering on the promise of a healthier Commonwealth for all.
Earlier in March, the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health (CACH) recommended key meeting outcomes for 37CHMM including:
- Increasing domestic funding for health to close the health funding gap
- Investing in the health and care workforce to address worker shortages
- Improving access to essential medicines to achieve health equity and the resilience of Commonwealth healthcare systems
- Investing in digital tools and strengthening the collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting countries to conduct Digital Health Maturity Assessments at the national level.
With 4.5 billion people—more than half of the world’s population—now lacking critical health services and access to life-saving treatments, investing in healthcare is essential to avoid reversing years of progress toward achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Future of Our Global Health Workforce
A Commonwealth Intergenerational Dialogue
21 May 2025, 0730–0930 CEST, Rue du Pré-de-la-Bichette 1, Geneva
Join us for a special WHA78 side-event on the future of our global health workforce. This special dialogue will bring together Ministers of Health and young health professionals from across the Commonwealth to engage in an intergenerational conversation on how we can support and invest in health and care workers. The event will offer a platform for meaningful exchange on leadership, innovation and workforce sustainability.
Download the event flyer
Register to attend
Media contact
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Ijeoma Onyeator Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
