(Commonwealth)_ The 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM) is set to take place on 17 May 2025 in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly. This important gathering will mark the first ministerial engagement for the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, since assuming office on 1 April 2025.
This year’s meeting brings together health ministers, senior government officials, and global development partners from across the 56 Commonwealth member states. Together, they represent 2.7 billion people, many of whom are facing increasing health vulnerabilities due to recent global financial shifts. Notably, deep cuts and freezes in global Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) have left many lower-income countries at greater risk, with health systems under growing pressure.
Under the theme ‘Investing in Health: Sustainable Financing for an Equitable Commonwealth’, the 37CHMM aims to explore collective strategies to unlock new resources, promote equitable healthcare access, and build resilient, climate-smart, and digitally empowered health systems. The meeting will be chaired by Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, Minister for Health of the Kingdom of Lesotho, who will also represent Commonwealth ministers during an address at the World Health Assembly.
In her statement ahead of the meeting, Secretary-General Botchwey emphasized the importance of viewing healthcare funding as an investment in both people and the broader development goals of nations. “We know the truth: every investment in health is an investment in people, in productivity, in prosperity, and in the kind of future we want to build,” she noted.
She further highlighted the Commonwealth’s strong legacy in health collaboration and urged member countries to go beyond policy discussions by committing to real, actionable steps. “Let us use this meeting not only to agree on policy but to commit to action—to secure sustainable financing that protects people, not just budgets; embed climate resilience and social justice in health planning; and expand digital access without leaving anyone behind.”
The meeting will include a series of roundtable sessions focusing on some of the most pressing health financing challenges. These discussions will address
The discussions will delve into the challenges associated with accessing climate finance for health.
Opportunities through the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH).
Innovative financing strategies for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Implementation of the Roadmap for Healthy Aging in the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth is investing in digital health tools to enhance equity and improve the quality of care.
The 37CHMM will also feature updates on the implementation of health-related mandates agreed upon at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. These updates will provide ministers with the opportunity to track progress and identify areas requiring renewed focus or support.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Secretary-General Botchwey is expected to engage with development partners, international trade and finance institutions, and private sector stakeholders to promote strategic investments in Commonwealth healthcare systems. Her agenda is focused on reinforcing partnerships and mobilizing resources that support the vision of universal health coverage and resilience for all.
The Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health (CACH) played a vital role in shaping the agenda for the meeting, having proposed key outcomes during its consultations in March 2025. As chair of the 37CHMM, Hon. Mochoboroane will conclude the meeting by addressing the 78th World Health Assembly. He will present a summary of the collective insights, strategies, and commitments discussed by Commonwealth ministers, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to equitable, sustainable, and inclusive health systems.
The 37CHMM presents a timely opportunity for Commonwealth nations to recommit to health equity, secure meaningful investments, and shape a healthier future for all citizens amid a rapidly evolving global health landscape.
