Santiago, Chile, 25-27 July 2017
Hosted by the Government of Chile and coordinated by the Network of Global Health Policy Think Tanks (THINK_SDGs), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Alianza Latinoamericana de Salud Global (ALASAG), the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and the International Development Research Centre
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require a transformation on how we view development. The call to "leave no one behind" reverberates strongly in relation to the health equity challenges that persist in almost all countries. As one of the most inequitable regions in the world, the Region of the Americas is faced with particularly unique challenges as it works toward promoting health for all and achieving sustainable development. These inequities profoundly affect the right to health, and can only be prevented through targeted action on the social determinants of health. Many of the SDGs provide the inroad to address income, inequalities, gender, ethnicity, cultural identification, education, environment, decent work, and access to services and infrastructure, among others.
To address gaps in health outcomes, the Region must advocate, implement, and practice innovative public policies that close persistent inequities and address the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of health and development. However, such actions are not possible without strong political support at all levels of government, multisectoral programming, and joint Regional collaborations. The effective use of politics in public health is already generating positive outcomes in areas such as non-communicable diseases and climate change. In this way, governments must be equipped to analyse political contexts and complexities, frame arguments, and act effectively in the political arena.
A conference in Santiago de Chile from 25-27 July 2017, will address the political dimensions of SDG implementation at the national level with a focus on the Region of the Americas. They include: gaining support of the highest level of government; creating political processes to ensure implementation and accountability; addressing sustainable financing; involving a wide range of stakeholders; and gaining support from local governments, particularly in highly decentralised countries.
Event materials
- Agenda
- Recording Day 1 - 25 July 2017
- Recording Day 3 - 27 July 2017
- Declaration of Santiago on the Sustainable Development Goals: "Adding support to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals”