International trends and Japan's efforts regarding SDG3

<p>The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are international goals adopted in 2015 that aim to create a better world by 2030. The SDGs consist of 17 goals, 169 targets, and 232 indicators that were selected to monitor the achievement of the SDGs, to “leave no one behind” and achieve a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive society. Among the 17 goals, SDG3, the health-related goal, consists of 13 targets and 28 indicators. Universal efforts have been made to transcend the boundaries between developed and developing countries, as well as those between governments and the private sectors, to meet the SDGs.</p><p>In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Decade of Action to accelerate efforts to achieve the SDGs. The risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of essential health services was discussed at the 74th World Health Assembly in 2021. In response, the WHO plans to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the progress toward achieving the SDGs.</p><p>After adopting them in 2015, the Japanese government established Promotion Headquarters as well as three initiatives to develop the domestic foundation for achieving SDGs through domestic implementation and international cooperation. The SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles was formulated in 2015 and revised in 2019. The revised Guidelines for the Implementation of the SDGs list eight priorities for Japan's efforts, with SDG3 falling under Priority 2, the “Promotion of Health and Longevity,” and Priority 6, the “Conservation of Environment, including Biodiversity, Forests and Oceans.”</p><p>Second, specific measures have been added to the “SDG Action Plan” by the Promotion Headquarters since 2018. The “SDGs Action Plan 2021” states that Japan will accelerate its efforts to achieve the SDGs despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it stipulated the importance of building a strong and inclusive health system to prepare for the next health crisis and to promote universal health coverage, as outlined in SDG 3.</p><p>Lastly, efforts to promote and achieve the SDGs are published in the Voluntary National Review, which was prepared in 2021 for the second time since 2017. Regarding Priority 2, the “Promotion of Health and Longevity” related to SDG3, the extension of healthy life expectancy was identified as an important domestic issue and the strengthening of health and medical systems in developing countries was identified as an important element of international cooperation. The government has thus made efforts to strengthen the SDG promotion and progress evaluation system.</p>