Secretary-General opening the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting

It is a privilege to welcome you to the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting. For me personally, this moment carries double significance. This is not only my first time joining you as Commonwealth Secretary-General—it is also my first ministerial meeting since taking office. That it centres on health, the most essential of all human needs, feels both symbolic and important.

Let me begin by thanking the Government of Lesotho for their leadership as Chair of this year's meeting. And to each of you—thank you. Your presence is not a routine gesture. It is an act of commitment in a time when your responsibilities carry more weight than ever. You are leading through challenge after challenge—global, national, and deeply personal—and you do so with limited resources, rising expectations, and ever more complex demands. I see that, I respect it, and I want you to know that the Commonwealth is here to support you.

We gather as 56 nations—vast in our diversity, but united in our shared values, our mutual interest, and our belief in health as a human right. The COVID-19 pandemic remains fresh in our collective memory. It exposed vulnerabilities in every part of our systems, but it also revealed extraordinary resilience, innovation, and human spirit. It taught us what we already knew, but had not always acted upon: that health is not an altruistic issue. It is the foundation of everything—of economic growth, of social stability, of dignity, and of peace.

This year's theme, Investing in Health: Sustainable Financing for an Equitable Commonwealth, could not be more timely or more critical. Because we know the truth: every investment in health is an investment in people, in productivity, in prosperity—and in the kind of future we want to build.

We have seen real progress. Many of you have led efforts to strengthen primary care, expand coverage, and modernise systems. Public health investment has grown across the Commonwealth, and lives have been saved as a result. But we also know that this progress is precarious. The latest WHO data captures the rising pressure on health spending, and we know that 12% of households now face catastrophic health costs—a number that reflects the human toll: dreams deferred, futures compromised, dignity diminished.

And while demand grows—fuelled by ageing populations, rising NCDs, climate impacts, and mental health pressures—fiscal space is shrinking. Development assistance is falling. Budgets are tight. And systems are strained.

So the question before us is clear: how do we overcome these challenges to go further and faster in building health systems that are sustainable, equitable, and resilient?

Three priorities stand out:

First, we must shift from short-term, fragmented approaches to long-term, system-wide investment. That means strengthening governance, the health workforce, infrastructure, supply chains, data systems—and most crucially, primary health care. Primary health care must be the bedrock: integrated, inclusive, accessible, and strong enough to withstand future shocks.

Second, we must find new ways to finance health. That includes blended finance, social impact bonds, and public-private partnerships. But innovation must serve equity, not undermine it. That requires strong regulation, public leadership, and shared accountability.

Third, we must change the narrative. Health spending is not a cost—it is an engine of growth. The return on investment is immense: in education, in economic productivity, in stability, and in the wellbeing of every community.

These priorities align with the broader work of the Commonwealth. Together, we can drive progress on:

• Noncommunicable diseases and mental health, which are now the leading causes of death and disability across the Commonwealth. We must prepare to speak with a strong, united voice ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs.

• Healthy ageing, ensuring that as life expectancy grows, so does the quality, dignity, and support available to older people.

• Climate and health, because the impacts are no longer theoretical. From vector-borne diseases to heat stress to disaster-related trauma, climate change is already reshaping our health landscapes. Resilience must be built into every plan and every budget.

• Digital health, which offers enormous potential—if we close the digital divide. That means investing in infrastructure, in skills, and in ethical frameworks that protect rights and empower users.

Above all, we must put equity at the heart of everything we do. Equity is not just about access—it is about justice. It is about dismantling the structural barriers—economic, geographic, social—that determine health outcomes.

The Commonwealth has a proud history of action in health: from the global campaign against malaria, to the Commonwealth Code of Practice for international health workers, to our leadership on cancer and other NCDs. We have shown what collective will can achieve.

But today’s challenges require us to be bolder still.

Our strength lies in our diversity. We are home to small island states, large economies, young populations, and ageing societies. What works for one of us can inspire all of us—and what we learn together can drive progress globally.

So let us use this meeting not only to agree on policy, but to commit to action:

• Action to build strong, shock-resistant health systems.
• Action to secure sustainable financing that protects people—not just budgets.
• Action to embed climate resilience and social justice in health planning.
• Action to unlock innovation and expand digital access without leaving anyone behind.

I will be your partner in this work—as will the whole Commonwealth Secretariat. Our health section is here to serve you, to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and help translate your vision into impact.

Honourable Ministers, the road to progress is never easy. But in this Commonwealth, none of us are alone. We are a family of nations—rich in wisdom, in solidarity, and in the will to act.

Let us make this meeting count—together. Let us chart a course to sustainable investment, not just in health systems, but in human potential. Because the future of the Commonwealth depends not only on economic growth or political stability. It depends on the health and wellbeing of our people.

So let us rise to this moment. Because with courage, collaboration, and commitment, we can—and we will—build a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient Commonwealth for generations to come.