The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to convene its inaugural global oral health meeting from November 26 to 29, 2024, aimed at accelerating progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) for oral health by 2030. Hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, this pivotal event will bring together health leaders and experts from around the world to reaffirm commitments and strategize on improving oral health outcomes globally.
The primary objective of the WHO global oral health meeting is to strengthen political commitment among Member States, building on the resolution on oral health adopted during the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA74.5) in 2021. The meeting will focus on enhancing national efforts to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly oral diseases, as part of a broader agenda to achieve UHC for all by 2030. This meeting also serves as a preparatory step leading up to the 4th UN High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs in 2025.
The event will feature a three-day technical meeting involving WHO officials, national oral health leads, UHC program directors, and invited experts. This will be followed by a high-level segment that invites health ministers and senior leaders from non-State actors to discuss their commitments to implementing the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030 and national oral health roadmaps. Additionally, several side events will take place throughout the meeting.
With an expected attendance of around 400 participants, the meeting aims to:
Strengthen the capacity of ministries of health to fulfill their commitments as outlined in WHA74.5.
Accelerate the implementation of the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030 within the context of broader NCD and UHC agendas.
Key objectives include reaffirming Member States’ commitments to the Global Oral Health Action Plan, discussing its six strategic objectives, and convening diverse stakeholders—including governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and academia—to identify collaborative opportunities for advancing oral health initiatives.
Expected outcomes from this significant gathering include:
- Development of national oral health roadmaps aligned with the Global Oral Health Action Plan.
- The endorsement of a Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health by Member States, reaffirming their commitment to improving oral health and informing the WHO Director-General’s report for the upcoming UNHLM on NCDs.
- Establishment of a global coalition on oral health that includes a platform for commitments from Member States and partners.
A comprehensive meeting report detailing recommendations for countries striving to achieve UHC for oral health.
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