Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is essential for human capital development and economic growth. In September 2019, Heads of State and Government endorsed an ambitious and comprehensive political declaration at the United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on UHC, reaffirming the right of every human being, without distinction of any kind, to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and recommitting to achieve UHC by 2030. In 2023, the UN high-level meeting on UHC reaffirmed the goal of reaching an additional 1 billion people with essential health services by 2030.

Despite these global commitments, progress towards UHC remains insufficient. The UHC Global Monitoring Report 2025 shows that 4.6 billion people lack full access to essential health services and 2.1 billion face financial hardship due to out-of-pocket health spending. Challenges include limited government revenues, rising debt, weak health system governance, and fragmented donor assistance. In May 2025, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution 78.12, highlighting the critical importance of health financing for the UHC agenda.

To accelerate progress towards UHC and meet the internationally agreed targets set, the Government of Japan, WHO, and the World Bank have joined forces and launched the UHC Knowledge Hub in December 2025.