Regional consultation of NGOs and civil society on the post-2015 health development agenda

Abstract

The Regional Consultation of NGOs and Civil Society on Post-2015 Health Development Agenda took place in the context of the global thematic consultation on health in the post 2015 development agenda, co-convened by the Government of Botswana, Government of Sweden, UNICEF and WHO. This thematic consultation was part of extensive consultations involving governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and research institutions. The recommendations from this meeting formed part of the inputs into the final report on the post 2015 Development Agenda consultation. The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office and Voluntary Health Association of India (‎VHAI)‎ co-organized the consultation from 28 February - 1 March 2013. More than 50 participants, including key international and national NGOs, civil society organizations from the South-East Asia Region, senior officials, experts, UN agencies and key partners participated in the consultation. The consultation reflected on achievements, challenges and lessons learnt in implementing the health MDGs in the Region. It also explored the role of health in achieving sustainable development, poverty reduction and human well-being. A shared understanding and a regional perspective on the positioning of health in the post-2015 development framework was reached where health was seen as central to the broader issue of sustainable development. The key recommendation proposed was an overall umbrella goal for health that focused on health, human well-being and universal health coverage. Creative and innovative partnerships with multiple stakeholders were seen as fundamental as was the significant role NGOs and civil society should play in carrying out the post-2015 health development agenda.