The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed support on Wednesday (10/04) for Brazil’s initiative to establish an alliance focused on local and regional production and innovation in health, under the leadership of the G20.
During a G20 technical event held in Brasilia, Judit Rius Sanjuan, Director of the Department of Innovation, Access to Medicines, and Health Technologies at PAHO, underscored the potential of Brazil’s proposed alliance to foster conducive policy and legal frameworks, along with comprehensive ecosystems ensuring equitable access, innovation, and production. She emphasized the importance of generating public returns on investment in health.
Furthermore, Rius Sanjuan reaffirmed PAHO’s commitment to bolstering production, innovation, and equitable access, including through PAHO Regional Revolving Funds for collective procurement of vaccines, medicines, and other health essentials.
Stéphanie Seydoux, WHO Envoy for Multilateral Affairs, highlighted the collective capacity of the G20 to effect change in this domain. Seydoux pledged WHO’s readiness to provide technical expertise in support of Brazil’s presidency-led alliance for local and regional production and innovation.
WHO’s Chief Scientist, Jeremy Farrar, emphasized the imperative of anticipating future scientific advancements to enhance equity. Farrar urged stakeholders to look beyond current knowledge and technology transfer, advocating for proactive engagement with communities, societies, health systems, and the healthcare workforce to prepare for forthcoming transformations.
Farrar stressed the significance of nurturing talent and enabling career pathways within the regulatory, scientific, and research and development sectors. He identified the broader societal benefits of investing in health-related ecosystems, citing opportunities for job creation, economic growth, and improved health outcomes.
The Group of Twenty (G20), comprising 19 member countries and two regional bodies, serves as an international forum for economic cooperation. With Brazil currently holding the G20 presidency, the proposal for an alliance in health innovation and production reflects a collaborative effort to address global health challenges.
