Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly A/RES/74/122 Universal access to health care 29. Reaffirms the necessity of improving availability, affordability and efficiency of health products by increasing transparency of prices of medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, assistive products, cell - and gene-based therapies and other health technologies across the value chain, including through improved regulations and building constructive engagement and a stronger partnership with relevant stakeholders, including industries, the private sector and civil society, in accordance with national and regional legal frameworks and contexts, to address the global concern about the high prices of some health products, and in this regard encourages the World Health Organization to continue its efforts to biennially convene the Fair Pricing Forum with Member S tates and all relevant stakeholders to discuss the affordability and transparency of prices and costs relating to health products; 30. Recognizes that health is an investment in human capital and social and economic development, towards the full realization of human potential, and significantly contributes to the promotion and protection of human rights and dignity as well as the empowerment of all people; 31. Welcomes the renewed commitment in the political declaration of the highlevel meeting on universal health coverage 5 to achieve universal health coverage, which implies that all people have access, without discrimination, to nationally determined sets of the needed promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative essential health services, and essential, safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines and vaccines, while ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the users to financial hardship, with a special emphasis on those who are marginalized; 32. Reaffirms that achieving 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, is essential to eradicate poverty, and reduce inequality and achieve sustainable development for all; 33. Acknowledges that expanding health care is a challenge, as well as the rising cost of medications and health products is threatening the sustainability of health systems in many countries, and stresses the responsibility of States to ensure access to all, without discrimination of any kind, of medicines, in particular essential medicines, that are affordable, safe, effective and of quality; 34. Expresses concern at the global shortfall of 18 million health workers, primarily in low- and middle income countries, recognizes the need to train, build and retain a skilled health workforce, including nurses, midwives and community health workers, who are an important element of strong and resilient health systems, and also recognizes that increased investment in a more effective and socially accountable health workforce can unleash significant socioeconomic gains and contribute to the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, the empowerment of all women and girls and the reduction of inequality; 35. Calls upon States, at the international level, to take steps, individually and/or through international cooperation, in accordance with applicable international law, including international agreements, to ensure that their actions as members of international organizations take into due account the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and that the application of international agreements is supportive of public health policies that promote broad access to safe, effective and affordable medicines; 19-22042 11/16