Mechanisms 17th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting was Held in Tokyo 2024-12-15
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On December 15, 2024, the 17th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting(THMM) was held in Tokyo, Japan. Chaired by Minister FUKUOKA Takamaro of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, the Meeting was attended by Vice Minister PARK Minsoo of Ministry of Health and Welfare of the ROK, Minister LEI Haichao of National Health Commission of China, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. 

In his remarks, SG LEE highlighted the critical role of health cooperation and addressing demographic challenges, such as low birth rates and aging societies, as priority areas identified at the 9th Trilateral Summit. He emphasized the need for closer collaboration among public health institutions, building on the "Joint Statement on Future Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response" adopted during the Summit. 

The meeting agenda focused on three key themes: 1) Ensuring Public Health Security, 2) Promoting Healthy Ageing, 3) Building More Resilient, Equitable, and Sustainable Health Systems to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Within these themes, the three ministers shared policy experiences addressing global health crises such as emerging infectious diseases and population aging. The discussions highlighted the need for enhanced multilayered cooperation to ensure health security in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement of the 17th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to collaboration. The ministers also signed the updated Memorandum of Cooperation and Joint Action Plan, prioritizing the efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics and infectious diseases of mutual concern with significant potential impacts. 

Since its inception in 2006, the Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting has served as a cornerstone of trilateral health cooperation. The next meeting, the 18th, is scheduled to be held in Korea in 2025. 

▲Group Photo 

▲SG Lee delivering remarks 

▲Joint Press Conference 

▲Minister Fukuoka and SG Lee