Vice Minister Lee Hyunhoon and Government Delegation Attend G20 Health Ministers' Meeting

Achieving Universal Health Coverage and Enhancing the Sustainability of Health Financing
Emphasizing Global Cooperation and Consolidation of International Capabilities

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on November 10 that the South Korean government delegation, led by Second Vice Minister Lee Hyunhoon as chief representative, attended the 'G20 Health Ministers' Meeting' and the 'Joint Finance and Health Ministers' Meeting' held in Polokwane, South Africa, on November 7 (local time).

On the 7th, Lee Hyunhoon, Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare (fourth from the left), and the South Korean government delegation met with Ken Callahan, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and the U.S. G20 Sherpa (third from the left), among others, for a meeting and commemorative photo. Ministry of Health and Welfare

This year's meeting, hosted by South Africa as the G20 presidency, was attended by senior officials from G20 member and invited countries, as well as key international organizations in the health and medical sector, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the Health Ministers' Meeting, participants discussed major topics reviewed at the four Health Working Group meetings held this year, including: achieving universal health coverage through primary healthcare access; strengthening the healthcare workforce; preventing the spread of non-communicable diseases; enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response; and scientific innovation for health and economic growth.

Vice Minister Lee introduced the South Korean government's key policies aimed at reducing regional disparities and expanding essential healthcare. He also called for G20-level action to address the growing global challenges of non-communicable diseases and mental health issues, while emphasizing the need for inter-ministerial cooperation and private sector participation to promote sustainable health and scientific innovation.

At the Joint Finance and Health Ministers' Meeting, Vice Minister Lee stressed that strengthening the rapid mobilization of funds at the onset of a pandemic is essential to improving the timeliness and practicality of pandemic response. He urged continued cooperation between health and finance authorities of G20 member countries, building on the outcomes of this meeting.

Vice Minister Lee also met with Zubir Ahmed, the UK’s chief representative and Deputy Director General for Health and Social Care, to share experiences in areas of mutual interest such as research and development (R&D) in healthcare, medical data, and artificial intelligence (AI), and to discuss ways to enhance practical cooperation, including holding a second health dialogue. The South Korean delegation also confirmed its commitment to cooperation in the health sector for 'G20 2026' with the U.S. delegation, which will hold the G20 presidency next year, and discussed key issues.

The South Korean delegation also held talks with the Japanese and Chinese delegations regarding the upcoming '18th Trilateral Health Ministers' Meeting among Korea, Japan, and China' scheduled to be held in Seoul next month, and discussed topics such as digital health, healthy aging, and mental health. In addition, they met with representatives from global health organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), and the WHO Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPPR) to exchange views on major issues and discuss sustainable cooperation measures.

Vice Minister Lee stated, "This G20 Health Ministers' Meeting reaffirmed the international consensus that we must substantially enhance our capacity to respond to health crises by linking health and finance. The South Korean government will actively cooperate to improve global health equity and achieve universal health coverage by strengthening primary healthcare and enhancing the sustainability of health financing."

Meanwhile, during a stopover in Johannesburg while attending the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting, Vice Minister Lee visited WITS RHI and met with Dr. Helen Rees, recipient of this year's Lee Jongwook Memorial Prize for Public Health, and research institute officials. He listened to their major activities related to improving the health of women and children in Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, as well as responses to infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, and offered words of encouragement to those involved.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.