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BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting: Moscow Declaration
Moscow, Russia, October 30, 2015
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- The BRICS Health Ministers met in Moscow, Russia on October 30, 2015, at the 5th BRICS Health Ministers' meeting.
- The Ministers recalled all previous declarations in which they committed to strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation to promote health. They noted the progress made since the first BRICS Summit and acknowledged the renewed commitment to health by the BRICS leaders as expressed in the Ufa Declaration, 2015.
- The Ministers highlighted the interdependence between public health and socio- economic development and reiterated the impact of foreign policy on health outcomes which should be reflected accordingly in national and international priorities. The BRICS Health Ministers agreed to have a panel discussion on health promotion during the 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion in 2016 in Shanghai.
- The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages as expressed in Goal 3 of Sustainable Development Goals [1] adopted by the UN General Assembly in September, 2015. They also recognized the importance of other Goals which contribute to and impact public health.
- The Ministers recognized that BRICS countries continue to face formidable challenges of communicable diseases, which can be addressed, inter alia, through appropriate health security measures in line with International Health Regulations, surveillance systems, innovation in diagnostics and treatment. Promotion of BRICS consortia of researchers to collaborate on clinical trials should be taken forward. The Ministers also recognized that action should be synergized and accelerated to strengthen access to affordable, quality, efficacious and safe drugs, vaccines and delivery of quality health care.
- The Ministers resolved to continue collaboration on the goal of TB elimination in consonance with the WHO post 2015 Global TB strategy and Communique of the 4th BRICS Health Ministers' meeting, in which TB vaccine, medicines and diagnostics research are important areas of cooperation. All stakeholders including the private sector should be involved for TB prevention, control and care. The Ministers reiterated that the work on TB cooperation plan should be continued and the plan be adopted preferably at the next BRICS Health Ministers meeting.
- The Ministers recalled the Communique of the 4th BRICS Health Ministers' meeting and recommitted their endeavor to achieve the 90-90-90 targets for HIV/AIDS, which is to rapidly reduce new infections and related deaths from HIV, and place BRICS countries on the Fast Track for ending AIDS epidemic by 2030.
- The Ministers welcomed the publication of the WHO third report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) - "Investing to Overcome the Global Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases". They resolved to strive for achieving the Global 2020 NTD control and elimination goals, for universal coverage of everyone in need by 2030.
- The Ministers emphasized that prevention and control of NCDs, such as Cancer, Cardio-vascular diseases, Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Airway and Pulmonary diseases, among others were essential to reduce premature mortality, enhance productivity and improve quality of life. They appreciated the adoption of non-communicable diseases Action Plan and Monitoring Framework by member states in the World Health Assembly in May, 2013, as well as the inclusion of the prevention and treatment of NCDs in the SDG targets, and agreed to strengthen collaboration to address the prevention and control of NCDs and their risk factors, and to provide affordable and accessible treatment and care.
- The Ministers agreed that mental health is an extremely important public health issue and that mental well-being is fundamental to a good quality of life and the productivity of individuals, families and communities. The Ministers resolved to collaborate in promoting mental health and well-being in order to bring better health and socio-economic benefits.
- The Ministers committed to strengthen collaboration on tobacco control with a view to achieving the global voluntary target of 30% relative reduction in the prevalence of current tobacco use in persons aged 15 years and over by the year 2025, through fully implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and promoting the ratification of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The Ministers stressed the importance of monitoring the strategies of the tobacco industry, new forms of tobacco products and nicotine use, and take steps to minimize the introduction and proliferation of such products.
- The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of addressing global road safety issues through international cooperation, in line with the commitments undertaken in the context of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. They also welcomed the invitation of Brazil for the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety on 18 and 19 November, 2015.
- The Ministers agreed to accelerate collaboration through Working Groups, which must discuss specific issues of public health and document and replicate good practices.
- The Ministers reiterated their commitment for achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage and noted that in order to measure progress towards this goal, monitoring tools are essential and should be formulated by the BRICS countries. These monitoring tools should be aligned to those of the UN SDGs. They emphasized the need for continued focus on equitable access to healthcare.
- The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate, cooperate and consult on key issues pertaining to the global health agenda. The Ministers recalled the important role the BRICS countries have played in the development of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property and reiterated their commitment to support the full implementation of its provisions.
- The Ministers of Health of Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa conveyed their appreciation to India for hosting the next Meeting of the Ministers of Health of the BRICS in 2016 and offered their full support.
[1] Transforming our world by 2030: a new agenda for global action. UN Document A/70/L.1
Source: Russian Presidency of the 2015 Ufa Summit
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