THE TASKFORCE

Paris Meeting culminates in Taskforce report on key innovative financing recommendations

The report of the Taskforce on International Innovative Financing for Health Systems, co-chaired by Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister and Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, was completed on 29th May at the third Taskforce meeting held in Paris

Read Summary and Recommendations and Main report

WORKING GROUP 1 REPORT
WORKING GROUP 2 REPORT
 

Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister and host of the Taskforce meeting in Paris on 29 May, commented: " It is now vital that, rather than turning off the aid tap, we look for the means to increase flow."

Next Steps

Strong political backing for each of the initiatives recommended is critically important. Successful implementation of these recommendations requires purposeful engagement with civil society, both in donor countries and recipient countries.

The Taskforce will report to the G8 in July 2009. Prior to the UN General Assembly in September 2009 a regular forum will be facilitated by WHO and the World Bank, to allow countries and partners, including civil society, to monitor progress. Co-chair of the Paris meeting, Ivan Lewis, UK International Development Minister said: "The economic downturn will hit the poorest hardest. Many millions of poor people will be forced into extreme poverty and hard won gains in health systems are under threat. Innovative financing initiatives are vital if we are to prevent this financial crisis from becoming a human crisis."
Read the press release from Paris meeting

ABOUT

High Level Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems

The Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems, chaired by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and World Bank President Robert Zoellick is focused on finding innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen health systems in the poorest countries in the world. By mobilizing additional resources and increasing the efficiency of health financing and the use of funds, the Taskforce can play an exceptional role in meeting the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The bigger picture
Spending money on global health is not just a cost, it is an investment. Studies have shown that investing in women and children’s health is an investment in development of a nation’s human capital and economy.
The growth in economy has been global. So has the financial crisis. Health is also a global challenge. Investing in our neighbours’ health is therefore an investment in our own health, a nation’s security and its future.

The global financial crisis and health
Mobilizing additional resources at a time when the global economy is in turmoil is a major challenge. However, it is precisely because of this global crisis that the work of the Taskforce becomes more urgent – the poorest and most vulnerable groups are at even greater risk.
100 million of the poor have already receded back into poverty as a result of the financial crisis. Millions more are at risk of following them.
The High Level Taskforce can explore and recommend actions to allow the strengthening of international assistance during this time of crisis period. Social sector investments need to be protected regardless of economic fluctuations.

The role of Innovative Financing
Current donor funding is not sufficiently predictable nor sufficiently large enough to support reaching the health MDGs. Even if efforts to improve the effectiveness of current aid for health are successful, a sharp increase in resources is required.
Innovative financing focuses on new sources and new instruments for raising revenues, usually outside tax revenue systems which will continue to play an important role. It encompasses different aspects of financing – from additional funding to the effective use of funds.
 

 








Taskforce member Dr Margaret Chan emphasises the importance of innovative financing to meet the health millenium development goals.



Video of Dr. Chan statement

 

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown supports the work of the Taskforce at Downing Street reception.



Video of Taskforce reception at No.10

 

Civil Society representatives share their views on the Taskforce at the consultation in London.