Vientiane, Lao PDR
08 Aug 2024
The ASEAN Finance and Health Ministers
Meeting (AFHMM), hosted at the Lao National Convention Center (NCC) in
Vientiane, served as a cornerstone event under Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN
Chairmanship. Bringing together over 100 distinguished participants, including
the Finance and Health Ministers of Lao PDR as Co-Chairs and Indonesia as the
lead country for the Finance and Health Collaboration initiative, the meeting
showcased ASEAN’s united commitment to fostering cross-sectoral partnerships. The
event, which featured a briefing from the Director-General of WHO, emphasized
the importance of mobilizing resources to bolster WHO’s critical role in global
health. Ministers reaffirmed their dedication to advancing sustainable health
financing systems and improving regional health outcomes, culminating in the
adoption of a Joint Statement by ASEAN Member States (AMS), with support from
the ASEAN Secretariat. One of the meeting’s key outcomes was the establishment
of the Terms of Reference for a Finance-Health Collaboration Working Group,
designed to address the dynamic interplay between financial strategies and
health priorities. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Lao PDR’s ASEAN
Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which
underscores the region’s focus on digital transformation, climate resilience,
health development, and regional stability. The AFHMM not only strengthened regional
collaboration in finance and health but also set the stage for a seamless ASEAN
leadership transition while enhancing engagement with international
stakeholders, dialogue partners, and the private sector. This pivotal meeting
underscored ASEAN’s collective ambition to create a healthier, more connected,
and resilient community, paving the way for sustainable growth and shared
prosperity across the region.