BACKGROUND :

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have launched “the Partnership Project for Global Health and Universal Health Coverage” in January 2016 (called GLO-UHC Project hereinafter). The GLO-UHC Project aims to promote and support global health and universal health coverage in ASEAN countries and beyond. Japan and Thailand have achieved universal health coverage (UHC) in 1961 and 2002, respectively, providing nearly the entire population of each country with access to health services, regardless of income status. Japan and Thailand have gained a global reputation for successfully achieving and sustaining UHC for decades. The two countries have worked extensively on global health issues, both at regional and international levels. They have used their wealth of experiences in various issues such as provider payment mechanisms, strategic purchasing and governance of purchasing for the benefits of many developing countries desiring to move towards UHC. At the same time, they are also focusing on some sustainability challenges posed by the current demographic and epidemiological transitions. The Government of Thailand and the Government of Japan thus started this partnership cooperation with the aim of a) improving Thailand’s UHC operation; b) providing technical support to other developing countries towards achieving UHC; and c) promoting UHC at the global level where skills in global health diplomacy is strengthened. The GLO-UHC Project symbolizes a new level of south-south collaboration and networking that is striving towards ultimately strengthening UHC implementation around the globe. In this side meeting, speakers will crystalize achievements and discuss new strategies and operation plans to move the project forward to contribute the access to health services and financial risk protection are improved in Thailand and participating countries; how to overcome challenges in collaborating with stakeholders; and global partnerships expected from the perspective of global human security.