On August 18 and 19, 2023, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra (pronounced Ha-vee-air Beh-sehr-rah) will journey to Gandhinagar, India to take part within the G20 Health Ministers’ assembly and bilateral conferences.

In India, Secretary Becerra will emphasize that the partnership with India is one in every of our nation’s most consequential relationships, and the U.S. and India partnership brings well being advantages to the area and the world.

While on the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, Secretary Becerra will advance the United States’ priorities of:

• Increasing our mutual prosperity,
• Advancing democracy and human rights,
• Addressing the local weather disaster, and 
• Upholding a rules-based order grounded in worldwide legislation.

In addition, Secretary Becerra will spotlight that the United States helps all three priorities of the G20 Health Track underneath India’s Presidency: 

1. Improving world coordination on well being emergencies prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR), with a concentrate on implementing a One Health strategy (the intersection of people, animals, and the surroundings) and combatting Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR);
2. Improving the worldwide availability of and entry to inexpensive medical countermeasures (MCMs, together with vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics) for well being emergencies; and 
3. Supporting the usage of digital well being techniques in low- and middle-income international locations to enhance healthcare service supply and to advance common well being protection (UHC). 

Finally, Secretary Becerra will stress the significance of deepening our bilateral relationship with India, reiterating that India is one in every of America’s indispensable companions. Secretary Becerra will use his participation on the G20 in Gandhinagar to assist deepen our already vital relationship.

Specifically:

On August 18, Secretary Becerra will maintain a bilateral assembly with India. 

Later that morning, Secretary Becerra will take part within the Inaugural Session of the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting.

Later, Secretary Becerra will take part in Session 1 of the G20 Health Minister’s Meeting: Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response (specializing in One Health and AMR).

Later that afternoon, Secretary Becerra will maintain a bilateral with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Finally, Secretary Becerra will take part in a G20 working gala dinner within the night. 

On August 19, Secretary Becerra will maintain a bilateral assembly with Brazil to debate alternatives for U.S.-Brazil well being cooperation and Brazil’s 2024 G20 priorities as host.

Later that morning, Secretary Becerra will take part in Session 2 of the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting: Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with Focus on Availability & Access to Safe, Effective, Quality and Affordable Medical Countermeasures—VTDs (Vaccine, Therapeutics & Diagnostics).

Next, Secretary Becerra will take part in Session 3 of the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting: Digital Health Innovation & Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage & Improve Healthcare Service Delivery.

Finally, Secretary Becerra will take part within the Closing Ceremony of the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting.

All occasions on August 18 and 19 are closed press. Media concerned with interviewing Secretary Becerra at G20 ought to contact ilse.zuniga@hhs.gov.