Secretary-General, in Message for Global Conference on Health Promotion, Stresses Need to Promote Well-being through All 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon’s video message to the ninth Global Conference on Health Promotion, in Shanghai, China, today:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to send greetings to the ninth Global Conference on Health Promotion, and I commend the Government of China for hosting.

Health and well-being are at the centre of the Sustainable Development Goals.  They are a precondition, an outcome and an indicator of progress.  That is why we must promote health through all 17 global Goals with innovation and commitment.

People need safe water, improved sanitation, a clean environment and healthy ecosystems so they can thrive.  They need universal health coverage, so they can access the services they require to prevent and treat disease without being plunged into poverty.  And they need health literacy, so they can make informed decisions about nutrition, wellness and care.  These are among the basic requirements for peace, prosperity, opportunity and dignity for all.

China has shown that it is possible to improve health and increase life expectancy for hundreds of millions of people.  Let us take inspiration from these advances and build on them.  Let us promote health and well-being for people and the planet, and fulfil the pledge to leave no one behind.

I wish you a successful Conference.  Thank you.  Xie, xie.