Tokyo Forum Highlights New Momentum for Universal Health Coverage

Global policymakers and development partners gathered in Tokyo on 6 December 2025 for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) High-Level Forum 2025, reaffirming international commitment to expanding access to healthcare and strengthening health financing systems. The forum was convened by the Government of Japan together with the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization.

Universal health coverage—ensuring that all people can access the health services they need without financial hardship—remains a central pillar of resilient health systems and sustainable development. However, significant gaps persist globally. Recent estimates indicate that 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, while 2.1 billion people experience financial hardship due to healthcare costs.

A key outcome of the forum was the launch of the UHC Knowledge Hub, an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between ministries of health and finance and support countries in building sustainable health financing systems. The hub will provide policy training and technical assistance to government officials responsible for health system reforms.

The inaugural training programme includes eight participating countries: Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines. The participation of Egypt highlights the growing relevance of UHC reforms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where several countries are implementing major health system transformation and national health insurance initiatives.

During the forum, 15 countries also committed to launching “National Health Compacts,” nationally led strategies aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding digital health systems, and improving coordination between public and private healthcare providers.

The forum is expected to play an important role in shaping global discussions on health financing and universal health coverage in the lead-up to the United Nations High-Level Meeting on UHC in 2027.

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