First meeting of the task force on innovative financing for health
Paris ; 14 June 2011

The first meeting of the taskforce was held in Paris on 14th June 2011 with representatives from donor and partner countries (UK, Italy, Brazil, Russia, France) and various international health organizations (WHO, UNITAID, GAVI/IFFIM, Roll Back Malaria, GLOBAL FUND, TB Vaccines Initiative, Gates Foundation).

Following its initiation in Tokyo during the last meeting of the Leading Group, the taskforce was officially launched in Paris, on behalf of the Malian presidency.

Based on its terms of reference the taskforce will aim at :
1/ gather countries and partners around innovative financing in the health sector to provide collective reflection on the topic ;
2/ review progress and results of the current existing mechanisms in the health sector ;
3/ identify lessons learnt on current mechanisms in the health sector for further improvement and development ;
4/ encourage awareness and ownership on existing innovative financing in the health sector ;
5/ explore new potential mechanisms for health.

The taskforce will collectively take stock and review progress made on/by innovative financing mechanisms in the health sector, through a formal review process.
Conclusions and recommendations of the review are expected in October 2011.
They will be broadly shared and opened for discussion at the next meeting of the taskforce.

During the June meeting, a quick update on existing mechanisms was presented to the participants (UNITAID, IFFIM, AMC, Debt to health, 1+1+1). Three new potential mechanisms were introduced :
  Concepts around the new tobacco tax (WHO)
  Initial reflections on innovative financing for malaria (Roll Back Malaria)
  Innovative funding model for new vaccines against tuberculosis (TB vaccines initiative).

The next meeting is proposed to be organised in autumn to review recommendations and action plan for the taskforce. Location of the next meeting will be confirmed soon. Conclusions and way forward will be proposed in Spain, at the Leading Group meeting in December 2011.