PAHO and UNITE join forces to strengthen health legislation across the Americas – PAHO/WHO
New York, September 23, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNITE – Parliamentary Network for Global Health signed a framework agreement today to promote a stronger legislative action on health in the region of the Americas.
The agreement, signed on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, establishes a strategic association aimed at supporting legislators in the configuration of public health policy through the informed debate, decision -making based on evidence and the greatest alignment with international health standards and priorities.
«Parliamentarians play a fundamental role in the configuration of health systems. Their leadership is essential to advance the right to health and develop resilience against today’s challenges,» said Paho’s director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. «This association with Unite will help equip legislators with the tools, data and technical support they need to defend evidence -based policies and promote sustainable improvements in public health.»
UNITE is a global and non -partisan network of current and previous parliamentarians committed to promoting effective and sustainable health policies in line with sustainable development objectives (SDG). With this association, Unite and Paho will work together to develop technical capacity among parliamentarians, facilitate political dialogue on health priorities and advance legal and regulatory reforms throughout the region.
«The signing of this agreement reaffirms the commitment of policy formulators to defend global health policies based on reliable and aligned data with the regulatory guide of agencies such as the PAHO,» said Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, founder and president of UNITE. «Legislators have a crucial role in the progress of a stronger legislation, ensure sustainable budgets and guarantee that governments fulfill their commitments, taking advantage of Paho’s ally to strengthen health policies in Americas.»
Through the Framework Agreement, both organizations undertake to organize joint initiatives such as technical seminars, workshops and high -level events focused on strengthening legislative responses to public health challenges. Themes may include health financing, universal health coverage, pandemic preparation, non -communicable diseases and social and environmental determinants of health.
The PAHO will provide technical assistance and shared guidance and data to support legislators in the configuration of the policy aligned with the regional and global health objectives. Unite will involve its extensive network of parliamentarians to promote knowledge exchange, identify legislative gaps and promote political will around health reforms.
This collaboration is based on the existing Memorandum of Unite understanding with the World Health Organization (WHO), and reflects the shared commitment of both organizations with inclusive and multisectoral approaches for health governance.
About Paho
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve health and quality of life. Founded in 1902, it is the world’s international public agency. Paho serves as a regional office for the World Health Organization (WHO) and is the Specialized Health Agency of the Inter -American System.
About Unite – Network of Parliamentarians for Global Health
BIND It is a non -partisan, non -partisan global network, of more than 500 current and previous parliamentarians of multinational, national and regional parliaments, congresses and senates, in 119 countries, committed to the promotion of evidence -based policies and sustainable to improve global health systems, in alignment with the United Nations sustainable development objectives (SDGS).
