The WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, has appointed the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, Alexei Buzu, as a WHO Champion for the European Well-being Economy Initiative. This prestigious appointment is in recognition of Minister Buzu’s commitment to a renewal of the social contract: governing in the interest of all Moldovans and implementing policies that increase social cohesion, economic equality and a sustainable future for all in the Republic of Moldova.
“With great power comes great responsibility. It’s vital we deliver on well-being economies because we see a lot of suffering, which is a reflection of how we have so far failed society. Poverty is increasing and the planet is degrading before our eyes. As ministers we need to do more, we should not be patient, we should be bold, courageous – there is no other way,” said Minister Buzu.
The Minister’s first function as WHO Champion was at a joint United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)–WHO/Europe session on “Fiscal policies for well-being, inclusion and prosperity”, which was part of the annual dialogue on tax and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) convened by Columbia University (United States of America), the governments of Norway and Finland, and UNDP, and centred on building fairer societies through efficient, just and robust tax systems.
This session drew on the recent side event at the United Nations General Assembly, co-hosted by WHO/Europe, UNDP and the Government of Norway, which demonstrated the high level of interest and growing body of evidence around crafting fiscal policies for well-being, equity and healthy societies.
This is an example of the increasing collaboration between WHO and UNDP around innovative partnerships that use fiscal instruments, including taxation, to deliver health, social cohesion and well-being.
More than ever, focusing on healthier lives and prosperity for all is key to sustainable development and peace. Societies globally are recognizing the importance of well-being and equity as indicators of national progress.
“WHO works with Member States to put health and health equity at the core of society’s development. Our Well-being Economy Initiative Champions are key, opening political doors and strengthening strategic partnerships. This is in everybody’s interests: we know that when people prosper, society and economies prosper. But that equation cannot be turned on its head. A prospering economy does not necessarily lead to the well-being and prosperity of all people, equally,” added Dr Kluge.
WHO/Europe supports countries, regions and cities in implementing fiscal policies that prioritize health and health equity by:
- unlocking the contribution of the health sector in driving improvements in ecological, economic and social well-being;
- leveraging public and private investment in the interest of health for all, for example through well-being budgeting;
- using well-being indicators to measure prosperity and the resilience of societies and economies going beyond gross domestic product (GDP);
- facilitating innovative partnerships bringing health, finance and the economy together around investing in healthy, prosperous, resilient societies for all.
Minister Buzu joins WHO/Europe’s first Well-being Economy Initiative Champion, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, who was appointed by Dr Kluge in June. Both politicians are passionate advocates for gender equality as an important policy lever for implementing well-being economies.
The challenges for both countries, however, are very different, with the Republic of Moldova seeking to deliver a budget that is inclusive and equitable in a country with low productivity, high inflation, high poverty and low economic growth.
The role of WHO/Europe Well-being Economy Initiative Champions is to raise awareness among European Region and global governments, along with intergovernmental bodies, about the imperatives and benefits of transitioning to well-being economies. WHO Champions are well-known figures in the public sphere who commit to contributing to WHO’s efforts to raise awareness of important health problems and solutions.
They are nominated by the WHO Regional Director for Europe for a period of 2 years and will work closely with the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development to draw attention to its priorities and/or specific health issues affecting people’s lives and well-being.