CSEM for UHC2030 at the United Nations Multi-stakeholder Hearing on on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response – June 2026

On 9 June 2026, the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030 participated in the United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), held at UN Headquarters in New York ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on PPPR scheduled for September 2026.

The hearing brought together Member States, parliamentarians, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, youth representatives, health workers and other stakeholders to share recommendations and priorities for strengthening global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

CSEM was in the room – represented by Waiswa Nkwanga et Amy Boldosser-Boesch – to call for stronger investment in universal health coverage (UHC), primary health care (PHC), financial protection, health workers and social participation as essential foundations for resilient and pandemic-ready health systems.

Why this matters now

The September 2026 High-Level Meeting on PPPR presents an important opportunity for Member States to build on lessons learned from COVID-19 and strengthen global commitments to preventing, preparing for and responding to future health emergencies. 

For CSEM, the hearing was an opportunity to reaffirm a key message: universal health coverage and global health security are two intertwined goals to protect everyone, everywhere, and they are achieved through the same health system.

Investments in pandemic preparedness cannot be separated from investments in strong primary health care systems, financial protection, an adequately supported health workforce and meaningful social participation. Effective pandemic preparedness therefore requires more than technical solutions; it requires trust, accountability, equity and meaningful engagement of people and communities in health decision-making processes.

CSEM’s key messages and intervention

Representing CSEM,  Waiswa Nkwanga, , Senior Technical Advisor and Coordinator of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030 at Management Sciences for Health (MSH), delivered a statement highlighting the critical link between universal health coverage (UHC) and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR).

Welcoming the recognition of UHC and primary health care in both the 2023 Political Declaration on PPPR and the recently adopted Pandemic Agreement, CSEM called on Member States to:

• Shift towards an integrated approach for investments in PPPR and UHC grounded in primary health care;
• Address barriers to health equity for effective responses to health emergencies, including financial hardship and discrimination, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized populations, so that no one is left behind in times of crisis;
• Recognize social participation and meaningful engagement of communities and civil society as a core element of PPPR governance to ensure people-centred health services and build equitable and resilient health systems that respond to the needs of people and communities;
• Invest in a well-trained, adequately protected and equitably distributed health and care workforce while addressing persistent gender inequalities within the sector.

The statement concluded with a call for Member States to translate recent global commitments into action and ensure that investments in primary health care, financial protection and social participation are recognized as essential foundations of strong, resilient and pandemic-ready health systems.

Following the statement, several speakers echoed the importance of strong health systems and universal access to health services in their closing remarks, including representatives from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and France, highlighting growing recognition that pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage are mutually reinforcing agendas that must advance together.

Civil society advocacy beyond the hearing room

Advocacy around the hearing extended beyond the formal proceedings at the United Nations.

Throughout the day, CSEM engaged with partners and stakeholders through complementary advocacy opportunities, including the RANI advocacy event et the Friends of PPPR lunch. 

These discussions provided additional space to advance key messages on health equity, social participation, primary health care and UHC, while strengthening collaboration among civil society, governments, parliamentarians and other partners ahead of the High-Level Meeting.

Looking ahead

As momentum builds toward the September 2026 High-Level Meeting on PPPR, CSEM will continue advocating for people-centred approaches that place communities at the heart of health decision-making.

The lessons of recent health emergencies are clear: resilient health systems are built before crises occur. Achieving universal health coverage through strong primary health care systems remains one of the most effective investments countries can make to protect people during both everyday health challenges and future pandemics.

As advocates prepare for the High-Level Meeting on PPPR and other key policy moments, CSEM’s newly released Universal Health Coverage Advocacy Messages: Leave No One Behind provide practical messages and recommendations to help advance progress towards UHC and ensure no one is left behind.

Together toward #HealthForAll!