Global health and foreign policy: addressing the health of the most vulnerable for an inclusive society A/RES/72/139 Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1 international humanitarian law, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 2 and the Constitution of the World Health Organization, 3 Reaffirming the commitment to fully and effectively implement the Beijing Platform for Action, 4 the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development 5 and the outcomes of their review conferences, including the commitments relating to sexual and reproductive h ealth and the promotion and protection of all human rights, Recognizing that health is a precondition for and an outcome and indicator of all three dimensions — economic, social and environmental — of sustainable development and that, despite progress made, challenges in global health, including major inequities and vulnerabilities within and among countries, regions and populations, still remain and demand persistent attention, Underscoring the fact that global health is also a long-term objective which is national, regional and international in scope and requires sustained attention, commitment and closer international cooperation, beyond emergencies, Reaffirming the right of every human being, without distinction of any kind, to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of oneself and one’s family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions, with particular attention to the alarming situation of millions of people for whom access to health-care services and medicines remains a distant goal, in particular vulnerable populations and destitute people, Underlining that health is not just an end in itself, but is a means of reaching other targets under the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and noting that investments in health contribute to sustainable, inclusive economic growth, social development, enviro nmental protection and the eradication of poverty and hunger, and to reducing inequality, and also acknowledging the reciprocal benefits between the attainment of the health Goal and the achievement of all other Goals, Recognizing the commitment made in the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind, and to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first, founded on the dignity of the human person and reflecting the principles of equality and non-discrimination, as well as to empower those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations and address their physical and mental health needs which are reflected in the Agenda, including all children, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons and migrants, Affirming the primary responsibility of Member States to determine and promote their own path towards achieving universal health coverage that comprises universal and equitable access to quality health services and quality, ess ential, affordable and effective medicines for all, with particular attention to those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations, and that is critical to promote physical and mental health and well-being, especially through primary health care, health services and social __________________ 1 2 3 4 5 2/9 Resolution 217 A (III). See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 14, No. 221. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II. Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5–13 September 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1, annex. 17-22392