Thomas Zeltner, M.D.

The improvement of health between and within countries has become a key issue on the global political agenda. It is a central part of the Millennium Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2000, as improving health is a key factor for prosperity as is prosperity for better health. The private sector is an indispensable actor/partner in the local and global co-production of health. It is imperative to bring governments and non-state actors such as the private sector, academia, philanthropic organizations and NGOs into harmony on global goals to tackle the big health challenges we face. Without them working together, more will suffer harm and cost. The different actors need to understand the rapidly changing architecture of global health governance. This is particularly important for the private sector because it acts in an increasingly dense meshwork of international norms and standards that affect their businesses. And it is deeply affected by the commitment of the UN member states to reduce the premature mortality of heart and lung diseases as well as cancer and diabetes by 25% until 2025. Thomas Zeltner has served the World Health Organization as special envoy on WHO’s engagement with non-state actors (2013–2014). He shares with audiences his intimate understanding of the actors and the current developments in this key area.