The European Union, in a statement delivered on 2 July 2026 at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, urged that technical cooperation and capacity-building efforts ensure non-discriminatory access to essential health services for vulnerable populations. The statement was made during the annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building under Item 10 of the Council's agenda.
The EU thanked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for organising the panel and reaffirmed that the highest attainable standard of health is a human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development. The bloc committed to policy coherence and a human rights-based approach, noting its leading role in advancing global health through contributions that extend beyond the health sector to areas such as climate, water and sanitation, education, research, nutrition, and social protection.
The statement highlighted Team Europe initiatives under the Global Gateway strategy, which aim to improve health security and strengthen health system resilience worldwide. The EU Global Health Strategy, a key component of Global Gateway, guides collaboration with global, regional, and bilateral partners to build sustainable health systems, advance universal health coverage, apply the One Health approach, and fight diseases. Specific efforts include funding localised vaccine and medicine manufacturing, infrastructure development, and pandemic preparedness, all aligned with the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy.
The EU posed a question to panellists on how best to ensure non-discriminatory access to essential health services and the most efficient use of technical assistance to guarantee access for those in vulnerable situations. The statement did not announce new funding or specific measures, but reiterated the EU's existing policy framework and commitments.