Published
July 02, 2025
Steps away from the marbled Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where world leaders convened to address the evolving landscape of global health, the U.S. Chamber joined government officials, public health professionals, and industry leaders for dialogues hosted on the margins of the 78th World Health Assembly.
The World Health Assembly convenes leaders from World Health Organization (WHO) member states to discuss global health opportunities and challenges, set priorities, and coordinate international efforts. The U.S. Chamber has previously convened around the event, leveraging the prominent attendance of leading organizations and senior health officials from around the globe.
This year, the Chamber’s Global Initiative on Health and the Economy joined with the U.S. Africa Business Center to convene a high-level roundtable, “Unlocking Access in Health: A Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing and the Role of Regulatory Convergence.”
The event centered on the ecosystem and policies required to support local investments, regional manufacturing, and improved access to health products in low- and middle-income countries. It also took a deep dive into regulatory harmonization in Africa and implications for healthcare access.
Key Themes and Insights
Localization Is Not Isolation
Ambassador Francisca Mendez, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva, emphasized that localization is not tantamount to isolation. Leaders in global health, she urged, must unite to support an accessible healthcare environment that leverages regional and global collaboration, including public-private health partnerships.
Geographically Diversified Manufacturing
Deus Mubangizi, Director of Health Products Policy and Standards at WHO, encouraged a shift in language from “local manufacturing” toward “geographically diversified manufacturing.” This point was well aligned with the Chamber’s emphasis on the importance of maintaining resilient supply chains and policies promoting open and competitive markets. This approach includes diversifying sourcing options and strengthening the enabling environment for local and regional manufacturing.
Regulatory Harmonization as a Catalyst
Speakers underscored that regulatory convergence requires:
- Leadership Support: Political will and institutional commitment are key to setting a shared vision and mobilizing resources.
- National Support: Countries must align legal frameworks to enable mutual recognition and joint assessments.
- Internal Competence: Regulatory authorities need sustained training and technical assistance to implement harmonized practices.
- Continental & Cross-Regional Collaboration: Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are increasingly aligning with the AMA framework to streamline standards and procedures.
Public-Private Collaboration Is Essential
Consensus emerged that sustainable access to health products depends on coordinated efforts between governments, industry, and multilateral institutions. The private sector’s role in innovation, scale-up, and delivery was acknowledged as critical to achieving health equity.
A Platform for Future Collaboration
The Chamber fostered a constructive dialogue and laid the groundwork for future partnerships. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for the unified approach and remained engaged well after the formal program concluded, signaling a shared commitment to advancing equitable access through continued collaboration, innovation, and policy alignment.
The event, in addition to several other side events that took place on the margins of WHA78, served as a powerful reminder that progress is possible when diverse stakeholders come together with a common purpose. As priorities continue to shift in the global health space, the U.S. Chamber will continue in its mission of urging greater investment in public health as a means of driving economic resiliency and growth.
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About the author
Suyash Gupta
Suyash Gupta is Senior Manager for Global Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
