Focusing on universal health coverage with the theme "Health Beyond Health-In the Year of Sustainable Development 2030," the 3rd Conference of the Global Health Forum (GHF) of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) kicked off Wednesday afternoon at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.

A total of 21 parallel sub-forums will be held during the three-day event, covering international cooperation on rare diseases, South-South cooperation to support maternal and child health, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance overall health. The event actually started on July 16, while the opening ceremony and plenary have been set for July 17. It will end on July 18 at noon.

This conference is hosting a platform for government officials, international organizations, health experts and business leaders to discuss global health issues and promote the development of the global healthcare industry.

Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, who served as director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) between 2007 and 2017, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony as a moderator. She highlighted the development of sci-tech and expressed worries about the new health risks and challenges that climate change and public health emergencies have brought. 

“I’d like to call for actions from all sectors to continue to uphold the development objectives of putting people first, to practice the path of multilateralism in cooperation, and to promote the innovation strategy led by technology. Only then can we truly promote the goal of universal health coverage, and gradually close the gap of common development around the world,” Chan said. 

Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations secretary-general and now chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, reminded everyone of the dangers of a pandemic like COVID-19. 

“Outbreak of the next Disease X is only a matter of when, not if,” Ban said, noting that the growing climate crisis will expose more unknown pathogens with pandemic potential. Unchecked human interventions in nature are doing the same. Increased travel and over-crowdedness in cities are creating hotbeds for the fast and massive spread of infectious diseases. 

“What we should do is not to pray for it not to come, but to be well equipped and prepared when it does come,” Ban added.

He called for everyone to “work together to take practical steps for the good health and well-being for all people, at all ages and everywhere.”

Additionally, BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun, Japan’s Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Keizo Takemi, and Singapore Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung also gave speeches during the ceremony.