Policy Updates

On November 5, 2024, Sweden has announced a humanitarian assistance package worth SEK110 million (US$10 million) to Ukraine aimed at helping civilians cope with damaged infrastructure and ongoing security threats.

The assistance package, unveiled by Sweden's new Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, focuses on providing heat and electricity to Ukrainian civilians as temperatures drop and Russian attacks on infrastructure continue.

The announcement comes as Ukraine faces multiple humanitarian challenges nearly two years into Russia's full-scale invasion. Beyond the immediate threat of Russian attacks, millions of internally displaced Ukrainians are grappling with the dangers of widespread landmines and increasing reports of GBV.

The Swedish aid will be distributed among four major humanitarian organizations, with the largest portion, about US$5 million, going to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for winter preparedness, including heating, electricity, food, and medical supplies. The UNHCR will receive approximately US$2 million to assist internally displaced persons.

Notably, US$3 million will be directed to the UNDP mine clearance efforts, addressing what experts say could be a decades-long challenge for Ukraine. The country's vast agricultural lands, known for their fertile black soil, remain particularly affected by mines and unexploded ordnance. The remaining funds will support the UNFPA work addressing women's health needs and combating GBV, which humanitarian workers say has increased among vulnerable displaced populations.

On November 4, 2024, an expert group on global health presented its key findings and recommendations for Norway future efforts in global health.

Over the past 25 years, Norway has significantly contributed to global health initiatives, establishing mechanisms and organizations that have achieved impactful results. However, the global health landscape is now confronted with complex challenges which calls for a renewed and strategic approach to Norway’s global health engagement.

In response, an expert committee on global health was formed in early 2024 by seven Norwegian humanitarian and development organizations: Red Cross Norway, Norwegian Church Aid, Save the Children Norway, UNICEF Norway, Civita, Agenda, and Langsikt.

In its report, the committee underscores the importance of investing in global health both as a matter of international solidarity and to ensure Norway’s own security and welfare.

The committee identifies two overarching goals for Norway's global health investments:

• Reducing global health inequalities within and between countries; and
• Strengthening health security both within Norway and globally.

According to the committee, these goals require a dual approach: supporting effective, cost-efficient health interventions in the world’s most vulnerable regions and investing in measures that ensure health security, such as pandemic preparedness and the development of global public goods like vaccines.

In that regard, the committee presents six recommendations for Norway’s future efforts on global health:

• Renew Norway’s leadership in global health with the goal of halving premature death by 2050;
• Invest more in global health – to reduce health inequality and enhance our security;
• Reduce health inequality by prioritizing effective measures and strengthening health systems;
• Strengthen coordination and invest in effective measures to enhance global health security;
• Reform global health initiatives; and
• Maintain Norway’s efforts in humanitarian assistance.

On November 4, 2024, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announced over CAD50 million (US$36 million) over the next four years for the UNHCR.

The funding will help UNHCR respond to the critical humanitarian and protection needs of refugees and other displaced populations around the world in the face of escalating conflicts, persecution, and the effects of climate change.

On November 4, 2024, the BBC reported that the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office Sir Philip Barton will stand down in January 2025.

Sir Philip became permanent secretary in the department in 2020 but will leave his post short of the full five-year terms achieved by his two predecessors.

His departure means the government has yet another big civil service role to fill including the cabinet secretary, national security adviser and UK ambassador in Washington.

On November 3, 2024, the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty announced new support for Anguilla’s health and security infrastructure as he makes his first visit to the Overseas Territories this week.

The Minister will be opening Anguilla’s new emergency 911 control room, partly funded by the UK government, and a facility that will be vital asset in helping to improve public safety. He will also formally announce the UK government’s provision of two new ambulances to Anguilla, and a new boat for assisting with coastal search and rescue operations.

On November 3, 2024, the UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, started his trip to Nigeria and South Africa by making a statement indicating that economic growth will underpin work in both Nigeria and South Africa, and agreeing to develop a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan and Strategic Partnership with Nigeria.

The Foreign Secretary will also announce the start of a 5-month consultation process, to ensure African voices inform and sit at the very heart of the UK’s new approach to the continent. Accommodating the diverse needs and ambitions of 54 countries, the consultation will guarantee the UK's relationships across Africa are based on mutual respect and partnership.

In Nigeria, the Foreign Secretary will sign a modern and progressive Strategic Partnership – the first of its kind between the:abbrUK and Nigeria. This new dialogue will cover the breadth of the:abbrUK-Nigeria areas of shared cooperation from growth and jobs to national security, tackling the climate and nature crisis to strengthening people-to-people ties.

Travelling on to South Africa, the Foreign Secretary will agree to develop a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan. South Africa is the UK's largest trading partner on the continent and this plan will allow trade to flourish even more through collaboration on market access, a new UK Trade Partnership program to boost South Africa exports, and a new program to increase the number of agricultural jobs in rural South Africa.

On November 1, 2024, USAID announced that it would provide an additional US$27 million to the GFF as part of the US strategy to support health workers and advance primary health care, bringing the total US investment since 2023 to more than US$30 million.

The GFF trust fund and investors groups are meeting next week in Abuja, Nigeria. With this latest funding round, the US now has a seat on the GFF Trust Committee and will have a voice in the GFF strategic vision and grant approval.

The GFF is a multi-stakeholder initiative that works with 36 low and middle income countries in African, Asia, and Latin America which have the highest mortality rates for maternal, child, and newborns coupled with significant financing gaps.

On October 31, 2024, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly concluded the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula in Montréal.

As the conference host, she announced the Montréal Pledge, which includes concrete steps to help return Ukrainian prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians, and deported children, including support for people’s reintegration into their daily lives.

The conference included foreign ministers and high-level representatives from more than 70 countries and international organizations to advance Ukraine’s 10-Point peace formula, identify diplomatic approaches to address the human dimension of the war, and strengthen the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

On November 1, 2024, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP lost its majority for the first time since 2009 during Japan’s recent Lower House election, significantly impacting the political landscape.

Ishiba, who called the election before officially assuming office, pledged to address public discontent, particularly around a recent political funding scandal and rising costs of living that have eroded the LDP's approval. Amid inflation and stagnant wages, public frustration is widespread, with many struggling to manage escalating prices for essentials.

The LDP saw its seat count fall to 191 from 247, and its coalition partner Komeito dropped from 32 seats to 24. The main opposition, the CDP, gained 50 seats, totaling 148, while the DPP notably grew to 28 seats, positioning it as a key player in the upcoming prime ministerial election.

Given this power shift, it is highly likely that the existing process might face challenges in making decisions regarding the allocation of financial resources internationally, as well as determining which development or global health topics to focus on.

On October 31, 2024, South Korean Minister Kyu-hong Cho attended the 2024 G20 Health Ministers‘ Meeting and Joint Finance and Health Ministers‘ Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In discussions with representatives from various countries, Minister Cho explored ways to enhance equity in healthcare access and achieve UHC by building a sustainable and resilient global health system.

He emphasized the efficient use of resources for pandemic prevention, response, and preparedness and underscored the importance of a balanced review of the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of various health crisis financing options.

The Health Ministers' Meeting joint declaration, the first in three years, will be an outcome of the upcoming G20 Summit and a significant milestone for future international health meetings and negotiations.