Participants

Co-Chair: John-Arne Røttingen, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Steering Group members and alternates: Kristen Chenier, Global Affairs Canada; Dr M Kabila, Office of the President, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Dr Ruth Nigatu, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia; Ibu Penny Dewi Herasati, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia; Jin Hashimoto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan; Claire Moran, FCDO, UK; Atul Gawande, USAID; Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Africa CDC; Gabriella, Fésüs, DG International Partnerships, the European Commission; Desta Lakew, Amref Health Africa; RD Marte, APCASO; Oswaldo Adolfo Rada Londoño, Senderos Asociación Mutual; Kieran Daly, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Alex Harris, Wellcome.

Observers: Tara Prasad, Supply Division, UNICEF; Hajime Inoue, Health, Nutrition, and Population,World Bank; Hendrik Schmitz-Guinote, Office of the Chef de Cabinet, WHO.

Secretariat: Linda Muller.

Regrets

Co-Chair Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Kenyan Ministry of Health; Roman Macaya, Costa Rica; Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Ghana Health Service.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting were for:

  • the SG to be oriented to, and to provide feedback on, the research approach and timeline, and to be introduced to other complementary global health architecture analyses underway
  • the SG to agree on the FGHI 2023 roadmap and to consider potential processes to move from research outputs to commitment to collective action
  • the SG to consider signing on to a “starting statement”
  • SG members to commit to actions they can take to build political momentum for change.

See meeting slide deck for details.


Discussion on Reimagining the Future of Global Health Initiatives: Research methods and preliminary scoping review findings


The Steering Group welcomed the presentation by Prof Karl Blanchet on behalf of the research
consortium. While acknowledging the research’s primary focus on global health initiatives (GHIs),
several Steering Group members underscored the importance of the research also factoring in how
other global health organizations (including the World Bank, WHO and UNICEF) are supporting
countries on health and their interplay with GHIs. There was appreciation for the research
consortium’s identification of the special case of fragile states and acknowledgement of the different
role of GHIs in these complex operating environments.

There were calls to not refer to reform of GHIs, rather to refer to their need for evolution or transition. It was noted that the development of a long-term vision was both evidence-based and political and that the interface between the research and the Steering Group would be important in this regard.

The importance of alignment of GHI funding with country systems was emphasized and the research
team underscored that its mandate was to frame its work from a country perspective. Several Steering
Group members noted the importance of looking beyond the three countries identified for case
studies and the research team noted that regional consultations would provide the opportunity to
engage with other countries. Country case study work being carried out by other organizations,
including FCDO-UK, could complement the work of the Wellcome-commissioned research consortium.
APCASO offered the 28-30 March 3 HLMs. 1 Region. One Unified Vision dialogue in Jakarta as an
opportunity for a regional consultation.

Steering Group members welcomed the opportunity to engage with the research team, participate in
key informant interviews and consultations and review draft research outputs. It was noted that this
engagement would also serve to help Steering Group members (and the Steering Group as a collective)
sort out their positions on issues the research will be addressing

Discussion on the Overview of an internal FDCO global health architecture analysis


The FCDO analysis was well-received by Steering Group members and consideration needs to be given
about how do dock this into the FGHI research. The need for a collective vision for development
assistance for health particularly resonated with some and there was a call for the FGHI research to
articulate both short- and longer-term wins, keeping in mind 2025 as a double replenishment year,
for Gavi and the Global Fund.

FCDO’s proposal to host a meeting from 4-6 October at Wilton Park to interrogate the evidence
generated by the Wellcome-commissioned and other research and to consider recommendations was
welcomed as a useful step in the process of moving from research recommendations to a Steering
Group commitment to collective action. It was proposed that this be complemented, inter alia, by a
similar meeting in the global south.

Discussion on the 2023 FGHI roadmap, including a potential process to move from research outputs to collective action

There was a proposal to use the next Steering Group meeting to flesh out the process referred to above and to have a planning meeting of interested Steering Group members/alternates to develop this for the Group’s consideration. The importance of engaging with GHI Secretariats and Board chairs and members as part of this process was highlighted. It was noted that the process of getting to a
commitment to collective action would take time and require consultation within Steering Group
member governments and organizations.

Indonesia invited the Secretariat to liaise with Indonesia to identify areas of collaboration, including
with ASEAN. Japan noted the relevance of the FGHI to its G7 Presidency agenda and to the High-Level
Meetings in September (on Universal Health Coverage, Pandemic Preparedness and TB), further
noting that the end-July timing for the research report presented challenges for meaningful G7
deliberations under Japan’s Presidency, given that G7 Ministerial meetings and the Summit would
take place in May.

Discussion on a FGHI Steering Group “starting statement”

There was a call for the Steering Group to align around a statement articulating the problem the
FGHI process is aiming to solve for, to facilitate clear, consistent and compelling communication by
members. Steering Group members made several suggestions for revisions to a first draft of a

starting statement, including to include reference to the importance of alignment with country
priorities and systems, to health systems strengthening and to the need for systems to be able to
respond to current and future health challenges. There was a call for the statement to have a more
people-centred focus and to underscore the importance of sustainability. Finally, there was a
suggestion to focus, instead of on SDGs, on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of note, what is being sought at this time is an informal consensus about how to speak about the
problem, not a negotiated statement of how the Steering Group agrees to solve it.

Upcoming Meetings
18 April, from 2-4 pm CET: next virtual FGHI Steering Group meeting
14 June, tbc: FGHI research consortium final hybrid global consultation (SG members invited)
4-6 October: FCDO-hosted Wilton Park, UK, event to interrogate evidence, research recommendations
(SG members invited)