Indian Presidency hosted the G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers Meeting, attended by Health Ministers and Finance Ministers (virtually) on 19th August 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The meeting was co-chaired and opening remarks were delivered by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, and Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health, Government of India. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO gave an update on global health from the perspective of emerging/post pandemic scenario. Ms. Priya Basu, the Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund provided an update on the activities of Pandemic Fund.

The Executive Head of the JHFTF Secretariat, Ms. Serina Ng, made a presentation on the key deliverables brought out under the Indian Presidency;

1. The Framework for Economic Vulnerabilities and Risks (FEVR)
2. The Report on Mapping Pandemic Response Financing Options and Gaps
3. The Report on Best Practices on Finance Health Institutional Arrangements during Covid-19.

G20 Finance and Health Ministers agreed on continuous strengthening of the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) through enhanced collaboration between Finance and Health Ministries. Ministers welcomed the multi-year work plan of the Task Force, approved under the Indian Presidency. Ministers welcomed the reports developed by the Task Force under the Indian Presidency, since these reports not only help members deepen their understanding of how future pandemics can impact the economy but also brought out the gaps in existing pandemic response institutional/funding arrangements. Some of the views expressed by countries in the discussions were those that are suggestive of future course for the Task Force including but not limited to development of an operational play book to ensure swift and adequate pandemic response financing; development of pandemic stress test; strengthening the supportive role of Task Force to WHO in global health architecture while duly considering country specific circumstances.

Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the first call for proposals of the Pandemic Fund and stated they look forward to the second call for proposals by the end of 2023.

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, concluded the meeting by thanking the co-chairs, Italy and Indonesia and other participants.

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PPG/KMN

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