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Strengthening cooperation and exchange with BRICS countries key to advance priority health commitments – PAHO Director says

Jun 20, 2025 News

Kaieteur News – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, has called for joint efforts and new partnerships to address the priorities outlined in the BRICS health agenda, including innovation, equity, food systems for healthy diets, and pandemic preparedness.

“The BRICS countries are not only economic and political powers but also public health leaders,” said Dr. Barbosa during the opening ceremony of the 15th BRICS Ministers of Health Meeting, in Brasilia, Brazil today. “Together, your countries represent over 40% of the world’s population, and your advances in health coverage, epidemic response, and local innovation have global relevance.”

For the PAHO Director, the countries of the Americas – particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean – face similar structural challenges as BRICS countries and are working towards aligned health priorities, including through addressing the burden of noncommunicable diseases, modernizing health systems, preparing for the impacts of climate change on health, promoting digital health and innovation, eliminating communicable diseases and promoting healthier diets.

“These shared goals present a clear opportunity for BRICS and countries of the Americas to learn from one another, collaborate more deeply, and co-develop the tools and solutions needed to protect health and advance development,” he said.

“PAHO is fully committed to supporting regional and global initiatives that elevate health as a driver of economic opportunity and social inclusion,” the Director added, underscoring the role of the Organization as a strategic partner.

The 15th BRICS Ministers of Health Meeting, held on 17 June, brought together Ministers of Health and other high-level authorities from the following countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

During the Meeting, the BRICS delegates also approved a Declaration to strengthen cooperation in health. Under the Declaration, the countries will work together to address global health challenges, through Global South collaboration. Other areas of focus include strengthening local and regional production of medicines, vaccines and health supplies; accelerating health equity through the elimination of socially determined diseases; ensuring equitable access to tuberculosis-related innovations; advancing voluntary regulatory convergence; expanding health research; promoting vaccine research and development; strengthening Artificial Intelligence in healthcare; and promoting sustainable and resilient health infrastructure.

“I would especially like thank the World Health Organization (WHO) and PAHO, represented here by Dr. Jarbas Barbosa”, said the Minister of Health of Brazil, Alexandre Padilha, following approval of the Declaration.

Addressing non-communicable diseases

During the Ministerial Meeting, Dr. Barbosa also participated in a High-Level event on the Promotion of adequate and healthy eating practices and their contributions to the prevention of Noncommunicable Chronic Conditions. Globally, NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are responsible for approximately 71% of all deaths, many of which are preventable. Yet while the world has seen a dramatic and sustained rise in the burden of NCDs “less than 2% of official development assistance is allocated to NCDs,” said the PAHO Director. “Unhealthy diets – rich in trans fats, saturated fats, free sugars, and sodium, and poor in whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables – are a central driver of the NCD epidemic,” he added.

These diets are driven by the global rise in ultra-processed foods, the aggressive marketing of which has “fueled a rapid nutritional transition across both high- and low-income countries,” said Dr. Barbosa. To address these issues the PAHO Director and the BRICS countries shared key experiences and lessons learned to prevent noncommunicable diseases, such as front-of-package warning labels, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages and regulation of unhealthy food marketing.

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