PAHO and Spain strengthen cooperation to improve regulatory capacity and expand access to health services in the Americas – Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Report on Strategic Health Cooperation Between PAHO and Spain to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Strengthening Partnerships for Global Health (SDG 17)

On November 5-6, 2025, in Cartagena, Colombia, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Government of Spain solidified their strategic partnership through a series of cooperation agreements. These agreements, signed with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), are designed to accelerate progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The collaboration focuses on building resilient health systems and ensuring equitable access to health services, directly contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Agreement with AECID: Advancing Universal Health Coverage and Combating Epidemics (SDG 3, SDG 10)

PAHO and AECID formalized two memorandums of understanding aimed at creating more resilient and equitable health systems, a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as outlined in SDG Target 3.8. The agreements prioritize the health of the most vulnerable, aligning with SDG 10.

1. Flexible Funding for Regional Health Priorities: This agreement establishes a voluntary contribution to provide PAHO with the flexibility to address critical health needs. Its primary focus is on:
   • Supporting the Communicable Disease Elimination Initiative.
   • Directly targeting SDG Target 3.3 by strengthening access to services for tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria among highly vulnerable populations.
2. Strengthening Emergency Response Capacity: This agreement provides targeted support for emergency services at Hospital de la Paix in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The objectives are to:
   • Enhance the health service response in a crisis setting, contributing to SDG Target 3.d (strengthening capacity for health risk management).
   • Expand medical care capacity and improve access for vulnerable individuals, reinforcing the commitment to leave no one behind.

Agreement with AEMPS: Bolstering Regulatory Systems for Health Security (SDG 3)

A memorandum of understanding was signed between PAHO and AEMPS to strengthen the regulatory capacity of countries in the Americas. This initiative is fundamental to achieving SDG Target 3.8, which calls for access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and health technologies for all.

• Objective: The agreement aims to enhance regulatory systems and promote harmonization and convergence regarding the safe and rational use of medicines. This bi-regional collaboration between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean supports SDG Target 3.b by facilitating access to health innovations.
• Implementation through Partnership (SDG 17): The memorandum will leverage the expertise of two key technical networks:
  • The Network of Ibero-American Medicines Authorities (Red EAMI), coordinated by AEMPS.
  • The Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization (PANDRH), coordinated by PAHO.

Conclusion: A Coordinated Effort for the 2030 Agenda

The agreements signed in Cartagena represent a significant advancement in the long-standing partnership between PAHO and Spain, which began in 1980. This renewed momentum reinforces a shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By focusing on strengthening health systems, enhancing regulatory capacity, and ensuring equitable access to services, this collaboration directly supports the achievement of good health and well-being for all people in the Americas.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the central theme of the article. The entire text focuses on initiatives to improve health outcomes, such as strengthening health systems, expanding access to services, combating communicable diseases, and enhancing regulatory capacity for medicines and health products.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly addresses inequality by emphasizing “equitable access to health services” and focusing on “highly vulnerable populations” and “people in vulnerable contexts.” The specific support provided to Haiti, a country facing significant challenges, directly aligns with the goal of reducing inequalities among countries.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article is fundamentally about the power of partnerships. It details the “strategic collaboration” and “cooperation agreements” between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a regional body, and the Government of Spain through its agencies (AECID and AEMPS). This bi-regional cooperation is presented as essential for achieving public health goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Explanation: The article directly references this target through the agreement with AECID, which will “contribute to the Communicable Disease Elimination Initiative, with a focus on strengthening access to health services for tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria in highly vulnerable populations.”
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • Explanation: The overall goal of the agreements is to “expand equitable access to health services.” The agreement with AEMPS specifically aims to promote the “safe and rational use of medicines and health technologies,” which is a core component of universal health coverage.
3. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • Explanation: The article highlights support for “emergency services at Hospital de la Paix in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with the goal of strengthening the health service response.” Furthermore, the agreement to “strengthen the regulatory capacity of countries in the region” enhances their ability to manage risks associated with unsafe or ineffective health products.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Explanation: The initiatives aim to ensure health services are accessible to all, with a stated focus on “highly vulnerable populations” and improving “access to services for people in vulnerable contexts,” thereby promoting health inclusion.
2. Target 10.b: Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes.
   • Explanation: The article provides a clear example of this target in action through the agreement to provide “support for emergency services at Hospital de la Paix in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,” directing resources to a country with significant need.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.
   • Explanation: The agreement between PAHO and Spain’s AEMPS is explicitly designed to “strengthen the regulatory capacity of countries in the region.” This is a direct form of targeted capacity-building through North-South (Europe to Latin America/Caribbean) cooperation.
2. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • Explanation: The entire article describes the partnership between PAHO and Spain, which dates back to 1980. The new “memorandums of understanding” represent a deepening of this multi-stakeholder partnership to mobilize resources and expertise for health in the Americas.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.3: Increased access to and utilization of health services for tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria among vulnerable populations. The article implies progress will be measured by the “strengthening access to health services” for these specific diseases.
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.8: Increased medical care capacity and service availability. Progress on the agreement for Haiti could be measured by the number of patients treated or the range of services offered at the “Hospital de la Paix.” The success of the AEMPS agreement could be measured by the number of countries with strengthened regulatory systems.
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.d: Improved emergency response capabilities and regulatory system maturity. The strengthening of “emergency services” in Haiti and the enhancement of “regulatory capacity” in the region are direct, measurable outcomes that serve as indicators of progress.
• Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: The proportion of vulnerable individuals accessing essential health services. The article’s focus on “highly vulnerable populations” implies that a key metric for success would be tracking improved access for these specific groups.
• Mentioned Indicator for Target 17.9/17.16: The formalization and implementation of partnership agreements. The article explicitly mentions the “signing of two memorandums of understanding” as a key outcome and indicator of the strengthened partnership. Future progress can be measured by the “joint actions between the technical networks” (Red EAMI and PANDRH).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: paho.org