Remarks at the Fourth Annual Meeting of the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis: Health diplomacy and international cooperation for the global fight against hepatitis

Distinguished Members of the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis,

Esteemed colleagues and partners,

Ladies and gentlemen:

Good afternoon. It is a true honour to join you today.

Let me begin with the story of Eric - a 37-year-old from Manila, Philippines.

In 2009, during a routine medical exam, Eric discovered he had hepatitis B.

Overnight, his dream of working overseas vanished. For nearly a decade, he lived in silence - without treatment, and under the weight of stigma.

In 2018, he began therapy, but it was inconsistent. When he could afford medicine, he took it. When he couldn't, he went without.

In 2022, Eric was diagnosed with liver cancer. Two years later, he underwent surgery.

His journey has been marked by pain, exclusion, and uncertainty. But with the support of a community group and access to affordable treatment, Eric found hope again.

Today, he continues his care and dreams of a future free from stigma and disease.

Eric's story is not an exception. It is a reflection of millions.

Globally, hepatitis affects over 250 million people.

In the Western Pacific Region alone, more than 100 million live with hepatitis B or C - accounting for one third of the global burden and nearly half of hepatitis-related deaths.

This is not just a health crisis. It is a crisis of equity, dignity, and human rights.

We have made progress. Thanks to vaccination, hepatitis B prevalence among children in our Region has dropped by 92% since 2000 - a public health triumph.

But gaps remain. Only 26% of people with hepatitis B and 45% with hepatitis C know their status. Treatment coverage is still far too low.

Without expanding testing and care - especially through primary health systems - millions remain vulnerable to liver disease and cancer.

This is where diplomacy and cooperation become powerful tools.

In the Western Pacific, we've established the Regional Validation Advisory Group to support countries in advancing hepatitis elimination. And we're seeing momentum:

• Hong Kong, China, is moving toward validation of eliminating mother-to-child transmission.
• Mongolia is expanding access through national insurance.
• Niue is preparing for hepatitis B elimination validation.

These milestones show us what's possible when evidence, solidarity, and commitment come together.

Yet challenges persist: declining external funding, fragile supply chains, and deep-rooted inequities - driven by stigma and the lack of decentralized care.

That's why this Group of Friends is so vital. Because health is - and always has been - a political choice.

Today's theme, "Health Diplomacy and International Cooperation for the Global Fight against Hepatitis," reminds us that change begins with collective will.

I am proud to highlight the group of friends' successful efforts to include hepatitis elimination in the fourth and final draft of the political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), scheduled for a vote on the 25 September.

This marks a major step forward in global recognition of hepatitis as a driver of liver cancer and other liver disease.

The declaration calls for scaling up hepatitis B and C prevention, diagnosis and treatment, hepatitis B vaccination; early detection of liver cancer; and strengthened screening and management for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

As a former Commissioner of the WHO Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs, I believe this contribution is especially meaningful - and a testament to the power of coordinated advocacy.

Looking ahead - I propose that the Group of Friends consider initiating the process for a UN high-level resolution on hepatitis elimination.

Raising this possibility now will advance our internal discussions and lay the groundwork for a resolution to be reviewed and adopted in 2027 or 2028.

Such a resolution would reflect the global burden of hepatitis and reinforce our commitment to the 2030 elimination goals - especially as the UN Sustainable Development Goals come under review in 2028.

As we look toward a UN High-Level Meeting on Hepatitis in 2027, our call to action is clear:

• Expand diagnosis and treatment.
• Strengthen governance and partnerships.
• Ensure affordable access to medicines and diagnostics for all - starting at the primary care level.
• And above all, centre our efforts on people like Eric - so no one is left behind.

Eric said, "If you get hepatitis B, stay on treatment so you don't end up like me. That's why testing and access to medicine are so important."

His words are a powerful reminder: Elimination is not just a goal. It's a promise - of life, dignity, and hope.

Let me close with a quote that captures our shared mission: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr

Let us act - not just for Eric, but for every voice still unheard. Together, we can end hepatitis by 2030.

Thank you.