On June 6, 2025, Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), in collaboration with Unitaid, held a Non-partisan Diet Member Briefing titled, “Strategic Global Expansion of Japanese Companies: Public-Private Partnerships in Japan’s Health Sector with Unitaid.”

The session welcomed Mr. Tenu Avafia, Deputy Executive Director of Unitaid, as the speaker. He shared leading examples of partnership between the public and private sectors aligned with Japan’s global health strategy, and highlighted efforts to enhance equitable access to healthcare.

Mr. Avafia discussed the background of Unitaid’s establishment, its initiatives to support the introduction and dissemination of new medicines and diagnostic tools in low- and middle-income countries, and its collaboration models with Japanese companies. He also touched on Unitaid’s recent expansion into broader areas beyond its traditional focus on HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis—including pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage (UHC), and women’s and children’s health. Following the lecture, a lively Q&A and discussion session was held, centering on expectations toward the Japanese government and legislature.

■Key points

• Unitaid, established in 2006, is an international organization that supports access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, funded through mechanisms such as the airline ticket solidarity levy. Since 2023, Unitaid has expanded its focus beyond infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria to include pandemic preparedness, UHC, and maternal and child health. Japan has served on Unitaid’s Executive Board since 2019 and contributes both financially and strategically through coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
• In many low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, one major obstacle to improving access to medicines is the insufficient development and capacity of national regulatory authorities. These countries often rely on WHO prequalification processes, which face capacity constraints and delays. To address this, Unitaid provides technical support and decision-making tools to complement WHO guidance, helping accelerate the introduction of quality-assured medicines and diagnostics.
• Japanese companies in medical technology and pharmaceuticals are expected to contribute internationally by addressing unmet medical needs through localized initiatives. The Japanese government is expected to play a leading role in global health, improving equity in medical access through partnerships with organizations like Unitaid.

[Program] (Honorifics omitted)

Opening Remarks

Lecture “Strategic Global Expansion of Japanese Companies: Public-Private Partnerships in Japan’s Health Sector with Unitaid”

Tenu Avafia (Deputy Executive Director, Unitaid)

Q&A / Discussion

Closing Remarks