PUBLISHED DECISION GUIDE
Global Initiative Launched to Build Shared Future for Health Systems in the Digital and Intelligent Era
At the 79th World Health Assembly, China and nine other countries launched a joint initiative to enhance equity, accessibility, and resilience of health systems through digital and intelligent solutions.
On May 18, 2026, during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, China, Brazil, Ethiopia, Oman, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, and Thailand co-launched the 'Initiative on Building a Shared Future for Health Systems in the Digital and Intelligent Era.' The initiative aims to accelerate progress toward the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 through digital transformation.
Independently written English guidance based on cited public sources. Every public guide is human reviewed; it is not an official translation of the source publisher.
Context and Urgency
The initiative was launched at the Side Event 'Shaping Future Health Systems for Equity and Access in Digital Era — From Vision to Practice' during the 79th World Health Assembly on May 18, 2026.
The co-launching countries noted with concern that global progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 remains off track. They emphasized the need to substantially improve equity and accessibility in health care coverage and to accelerate the building of resilient health systems to meet the SDG targets on schedule.
Key Principles and Commitments
Recognizing health as a foundation for sustainable socioeconomic development, the initiative addresses challenges such as rapid population ageing, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and emerging public health risks. It calls for enhancing the equity, sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of health systems globally.
The advent of the digital and intelligent era is seen as a tremendous opportunity to achieve these goals. The initiative underscores a shared understanding for building a shared future for health systems in the digital and intelligent era.
Public sources
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