APEC economies are strengthening cross-sector collaboration to close women’s health financing gaps, shaping a new regional framework to expand access to essential services through innovative financing.
APEC economies are intensifying efforts to address persistent financing gaps in women’s health, following the APEC Smart Families Workshop on Innovative Financing for Women’s Health held in Incheon. The event brought together leaders across finance, health, and women’s affairs ministries, alongside development banks and private-sector partners, marking the first coordinated engagement of these sectors under the initiative. Hosted by Peru and co-sponsored by Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the workshop emphasised women’s health as a foundation for resilient and inclusive economic growth.
Participants contributed to shaping the forthcoming APEC Innovative Financing Framework for Women’s Health, a regional roadmap designed to help economies turn financial innovation into real improvements in access and quality of care. Dr. Carlos Vela, Chair of the APEC Health Working Group, underscored the need for stronger coordination to ensure sustainable and inclusive financing models that benefit women and communities. Discussions highlighted aligning budgeting, insurance mechanisms, and subsidies with demographic and economic goals.
Economies also exchanged strategies for leveraging private capital and development finance institutions to expand maternal and women’s health services, particularly in remote areas. Dr. Bunyarit Sukrat, Co-Chair of the Working Group, stressed that investing in women’s health is both a moral obligation and a strategic priority for regional prosperity.
