Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum: A Global Dialogue for Health Equity (2026)

Imagine a world where everyone, everywhere, has access to the healthcare they need, without facing financial hardship. That's the ambitious goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and it's the central topic of a significant upcoming event. The Government of Japan, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank Group, is hosting a High-level Forum on Universal Health Coverage in Tokyo, Japan, on December 6, 2025.

This forum is designed to be a crucial platform. It will bring together top-level officials from Ministries of Health and Finance, along with representatives from international organizations and development partners. Their mission? To engage in a strategic dialogue, focusing on how to advance UHC. They'll explore ways to strengthen collaboration and discover innovative approaches to health financing and systems reform. Think of it as a global think-tank, focused on making healthcare accessible to all.

But here's where it gets exciting: The forum will also mark the official launch of the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo. This hub, a joint initiative by WHO and the World Bank Group, with the backing of the Japanese government, is a game-changer. It will offer capacity-building programs specifically designed for leaders within Ministries of Health and Finance. These programs aim to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to drive health financing reforms effectively. This is about empowering those on the front lines to create lasting change.

During the forum, attendees will also get a sneak peek at the UHC global monitoring report for 2025, a collaborative effort by WHO and the World Bank. Plus, several country leaders will be announcing their National Health Compacts. These compacts represent concrete commitments and action plans to improve healthcare within their respective nations.

Who's expected to be there? The guest list is impressive:

• Ministers of Finance and Health from low- and middle-income countries.
• Representatives from international organizations.
• Representatives from public-private partnerships.
• Representatives from philanthropic organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

Here's a glimpse of the tentative program:

• High-level discussions.
• The launch ceremony for the UHC Knowledge Hub.
• The release of the UHC Global monitoring report for 2025.
• Announcements of National Health Compacts.
• Panel discussions.

Want to tune in? The open session of the forum will be live-streamed. You can watch the event at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/j0jwIIYTGeg?feature=share

Organized by:

• Government of Japan
• World Bank Group
• World Health Organization

About the UHC Knowledge Hub:

The UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo is a brand-new initiative designed to support senior officials in Ministries of Health and Finance from low- and lower-middle-income countries. It uses data and evidence to help these officials improve the fairness, alignment, and effectiveness of health financing both within their countries and from international sources. The hub is a collaborative effort supported by the Government of Japan and established by WHO and the World Bank Group to help countries accelerate their progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Key Activities of the UHC Knowledge Hub:

1. Training and Capacity Building, and Peer-to-Peer Learning: The Hub provides practical, competency-based learning opportunities and promotes peer-to-peer learning. These efforts aim to strengthen capacity in health financing, public financial management, and the implementation of reforms in support of UHC. The first in-person co-design workshop took place in October 2025, followed by the first UHC Leadership program in February 2026 in Tokyo.

2. Advocacy and Convening: To speed up progress toward UHC, the Hub organizes high-level events and policy dialogues that bring together key partners and governments. These gatherings aim to build momentum and promote coordination around innovative and effective solution-driven health financing reform strategies.

And this is the part most people miss... The UHC Knowledge Hub is designed not just to share information, but to foster collaboration and create real-world solutions. It's about empowering countries to build stronger, more equitable healthcare systems. But, what specific health financing reforms do you think are most crucial for achieving UHC? Share your thoughts in the comments – let's start a conversation!