Global Health Works Leaders Coalition Launched to Boost Health Investments, Economic Growth, and Job Creation.
World Bank Group, Government of Japan, and WHO unite to strengthen global health systems and reach 1.5 billion people by 2030.
Washington D.C./Tokyo:
In a landmark initiative aimed at linking health system strengthening with economic growth, job creation, and improved resilience, the World Bank Group, the Government of Japan, and the World Health Organization (WHO) have jointly launched the Health Works Leaders Coalition.
This global alliance brings together health and finance ministers, philanthropic organizations, business and civil society leaders, and global health agencies to promote sustained investments in health systems worldwide. The Coalition forms a central pillar of Health Works — a broader global initiative led by the World Bank Group and partners — that seeks to help countries deliver quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.
A Platform for Action, Not Just Funding
Unlike a traditional funding mechanism, the Health Works Leaders Coalition serves as a coordinated platform to catalyze reforms, mobilize domestic and international investments, and align global and national priorities behind scalable, government-led health programs.
During its inaugural meeting, held on the sidelines of the World Bank Group Annual Meetings, it was announced that an initial group of 21 countries will develop National Health Compacts — bold, government-led agreements outlining reform priorities, investment strategies, accountability mechanisms, and resource mobilization plans to expand access to quality, affordable health care.
Reform priorities will vary across countries. For instance, Indonesia plans to expand free health checkups and insurance coverage, while Mexico will implement a pharmaceutical strategy expected to create 60,000 new jobs through private sector collaboration.
The first set of National Health Compacts, representing diverse income levels and regions, are expected to be formally launched at the UHC (Universal Health Coverage) High-Level Forum in Tokyo in December 2025.
Japan’s Role: Launch of UHC Knowledge Hub
In a major step toward supporting policy reform, the Government of Japan announced the first eight countries participating in the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo — a new platform to build policymaking capacity through knowledge sharing and training. The inaugural participating countries are Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
“Strengthening health systems in developing countries depends on cultivating health financing expertise within both health and finance ministries,” said Atsushi Mimura, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Finance. “Through targeted training programmes, the UHC Knowledge Hub will share Japan’s experience to build institutional capacity and support tangible reforms in health financing.”
Leaders Call for Greater Domestic Ownership
Highlighting the urgency of sustainable health financing, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, warned that cuts in overseas aid were threatening essential services in many countries.
“Countries are responding with resilience — shifting from dependence on aid to greater domestic ownership of their health systems,” he said. “We must support this momentum by helping countries mobilize domestic resources, especially for primary health care, and protect the poorest from financial hardship.”
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, emphasized the interconnectedness of health and economic growth. “Our goal is ambitious — to help countries deliver quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030,” he said. “No single institution or government can achieve that alone. But with shared effort, we can transform lives, strengthen economies, and create jobs. This is as much a jobs agenda as it is a health initiative.”
Coalition Membership and Country Participation
The Health Works Leaders Coalition includes a wide array of partners and countries committed to global health reform and investment.
Coalition Members:
Egypt, Ethiopia, GAVI – The Vaccine Alliance, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Seed Global Health, Sierra Leone, Saint Lucia, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, United Kingdom, WACI Health, and the Wellcome Trust.
National Health Compact Countries (21):
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Zambia.
Initial UHC Knowledge Hub Countries:
Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
A Step Toward Global Health and Economic Resilience
By aligning the goals of health reform with economic policy, the Health Works Leaders Coalition seeks to build resilient, job-creating health systems that not only save lives but also strengthen economies. With high-level commitment from governments, financial institutions, and global partners, the initiative marks a major step toward achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development worldwide.
