Unity in wellness: Advancing Peace through Global Health
Background
In today’s interconnected world, the relationship between health and peace is increasingly crucial. Health challenges, such as pandemics, mental health crises, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, can exacerbate conflicts and destabilize communities. Conversely, peaceful societies are better equipped to invest in robust health systems that promote well-being and resilience. The Global Health and Peace Initiative aims to explore and strengthen this relationship, advocating for integrated policy approaches that seeks to advance both health and peace.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerabilities of global health systems and highlighted the necessity for international cooperation. It exposed the fragility of the health system and its ability to cope under such circumstances, and brought to surface matters such as distrust and inequities. Addressing these intertwined challenges – and opportunities – requires comprehensive strategies and collaborative efforts.
The Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) is a global initiative of WHO that aims to strengthen the role of WHO and the health sector as contributors to improving the prospects for peace It was launched in November 2019 by Oman and Switzerland following a multilateral consultation in Geneva attended by more than 50 representatives of 24 countries and partners. In May 2024, WHO Member States adopted a Resolution1 on the GHPI after several years of consultations with a wide range of stakeholders on a roadmap. Since its adoption, the WHO has been actively pursuing the operationalisation of the Initiative across the various workstreams while strengthening the GHPI Roadmap.
1 Resolution WHA77.9 on the GHPI: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_R9-en.pdf
In this context, this proposed United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2025 High-Level Side Event seeks to provide a critical platform for Member States, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to collectively catalyse new commitments aimed at supporting the GHPI. This side event aims to share experiences from the field and to contribute to the evidence basis for the health and peace approach. The aim is to ultimately inform the operationalization of the GHPI.
Objectives
- Highlight Interconnections: Demonstrate the intrinsic link between health and peace, emphasizing how improvements in one can lead to advancements in the other. This approach supports sustainable development and global stability.
- Promote Collaborative Solutions: Encourage the formation of multi-sectoral partnerships involving governments, NGOs, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. These partnerships are essential for developing innovative solutions that address both health and peace challenges effectively.
- Policy Advocacy: Influence global policy by advocating for the inclusion of health considerations in peace-building efforts and vice versa. This dual focus aims to create a holistic framework for addressing complex global challenges, at a time when the UN system relies, more than ever before, on every UN agency’s active contribution to the implementation of the UN Sustaining Peace Agenda, given the political and financial challenges the UN is facing.
- Knowledge Sharing: Provide a platform for sharing best practices, case studies, and research findings that illustrate successful integration of health and peace objectives through a variety of initiatives. This exchange of knowledge empowers stakeholders to implement effective strategies in their regions.
Format
- In-Person Event: Limited seats; registration required
- Live Webcast: UN Web TV
- Participation: Ministers, Heads of Delegations, government experts, UN agencies, civil society leaders, private sector representatives