Japan, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group, will host a High-level Forum on Universal Health Coverage in Tokyo on 6 December 2025.

The gathering aims to accelerate global progress toward health systems that provide quality care for all without financial hardship, with special attention to the needs of low- and middle-income regions, including Africa.

Universal Health Coverage remains a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals. In many African countries, families still rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments for medical care, pushing millions into poverty each year.

Although significant achievements have been made in expanding access to basic services and national health insurance schemes, persistent financing gaps, shortages of skilled health workers, and limited infrastructure continue to slow momentum.

The Tokyo Forum offers African leaders a platform to deepen collaboration between ministries of health and finance. This partnership is essential to secure sustainable, domestic funding that can reduce dependence on external aid while ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the care they need.

One of the event’s major milestones will be the official launch of the UHC Knowledge Hub in Tokyo.

Created by WHO and the World Bank with the support of the Government of Japan, the Hub will provide evidence-based training, peer learning, and policy exchange for senior officials from countries with the greatest challenges in expanding health coverage.

Many African nations are expected to benefit directly from these capacity-building programmes as they continue to reform their health financing systems.

The Forum will also see the release of the UHC Global Monitoring Report 2025, which presents the latest assessment of worldwide progress.

The report is expected to highlight the urgent need for increased investment in sub-Saharan Africa to stay on track toward UHC goals by 2030.

Several African governments are preparing to announce new National Health Compacts in Tokyo, reaffirming political commitment to strengthen primary healthcare, improve financial protection, and expand access to essential medicines and services.

Senior officials from African ministries, representatives of international organizations, civil society leaders, philanthropic partners, and the private sector will take part in high-level discussions and thematic panels designed to spark innovative solutions and stronger cooperation.

By convening global health and finance leaders in Tokyo, Japan aims to build momentum for more resilient and equitable health systems worldwide.

For Africa, the Forum and the UHC Knowledge Hub represent an opportunity to accelerate reforms that place people’s health at the center of national development.