Beyond Aid: Restructuring Global Health for an Uncertain Future

A Pivotal Moment in Paris 

We gather in Paris today for the G7 France 2026 Conference on International Development Assistance at a critical juncture for international development and for global health. Multilateralism is under strain. Across emerging and developing economies, the decline in international aid is no longer theoretical – it is tangible and measurable. We are witnessing the resurgence of previously controlled diseases, the continued spread of pandemics and healthcare systems are not keeping pace with rapid demographic growth – particularly across Africa. 

Health systems are not peripheral to development. They are foundational to it.

If we accept this reality, then we must also recognise that incremental adjustments will not be enough. International development assistance must be restructured – fundamentally and strategically.

The Three Pillars of Reform

To move forward, we must address three structural failures in the current system: 

1. We must move beyond fragmentation. For too long, development efforts have relied on isolated, project-based interventions. These must give way to coordinated, nationally owned strategies, aligned with international institutions and development banks.
2. Health must be restored to its rightful place as a global priority – alongside macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.
3.  A critical gap must be addressed: The private sector remains insufficiently integrated into development frameworks. This is not due to a lack of willingness. It reflects a lack of structure, incentives, and effective risk-sharing mechanisms. 

A Roadmap for Action: Six Key Commitments 

The G20-G7 Health and Development Partnership was established to help bridge this gap – bringing together investors, healthcare providers, innovators, and citizens. We stand ready to contribute in six key areas:

1. We will support the development of country-level platforms, ensuring that private sector expertise and patient perspectives are integrated into national health strategies.
2. We are prepared to participate in the governance and advisory structures of the proposed international development framework, including the International Development Aid Council.
3. We propose the creation of a global taxonomy of health investments – linking health outcomes directly to economic growth and productivity, while providing clarity for both public and private capital. This should be supported by innovative financing instruments – including guarantees and blended finance models – that enable effective risk-sharing between public and private actors.
4. We support the development of common evaluation frameworks and international databases, recognising that transparency and comparability are essential to scaling investment. We also look forward to contributing to the proposed Financial Innovation Laboratory, particularly in sharing best practices and accelerating effective financing solutions.
5. We will contribute to the design of integrated healthcare ecosystems – systems that are resilient, inclusive, and adaptable to local realities.
6. We are committed to strengthening South-North cooperation, through sustained dialogue, digital engagement, and improved reporting – ensuring accountability and building investor confidence.

Conclusion:  Health is not only a social priority. It is an economic necessity. 

No country can achieve sustainable growth without a healthy population and no global development framework can succeed if health remains secondary. The challenges before us demand more than resources. They require coordination, innovation, and genuine partnership.

The G20-G7 Health and Development Partnership stands ready to work with all stakeholders to help deliver that ambition.