On 23 September 2026, Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, co-hosted the 7th Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health (GoF of UHC), along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the GoF of UHC, on the sidelines of the High-level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UHC2030 and the United Nations Foundation. It was attended by over 100 participants, including ministers and high-level representatives from various countries, including Spain, Guyana, Armenia, India, Hungary and Norway.

The event was held under the topic “Accelerating universal health coverage for a more resilient world: The road to the 2027 high-level meeting.” The Vice Minister delivered opening remarks and shared Thailand’s experience and approaches in advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Specifically, the Vice Minister emphasized the promotion of equitable access to health services for all by using data from monitoring and evaluation to inform policy decisions and address inequities, as well as sustainable health financing. The Vice Minister also prioritized people-centred UHC through multisectoral and social participation, including engagement with civil society and the private sector, to ensure that the health system is truly responsive to people’s needs.