During the WHO’s Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development’s conference Rethinking Policies in the Light of the Pandemic, VEB.RF’s Chairman Igor Shuvalov presented the policy of the Russian Federation in support of the healthcare system during the pandemic, as well as the role that VEB.RF has played in it and plans to continue to play. This was the first meeting of the new body created under the auspices of WHO and under the chairmanship of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti.

The main task of the inaugural meeting was to introduce the members to each other and identify priorities that should lead to WHO’s recommendations for transforming healthcare systems to meet the challenges of the pandemic. The Commission will focus mainly on maintaining the sustainability of healthcare systems in the face of increased workload, healthcare digitalisation, intergenerational solidarity in healthcare financing, as well as the connection between this industry and the economic development.

In his statement, Igor Shuvalov reflected the national development priorities of the Russian Federation and introduced the audience to the tasks that VEB.RF is working on under the leadership of the Russian Government.

The Commission also included former President of Finland Tarja Halonen, former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Head of Chatham House and former Head of the UK Treasury Jim O'Neill, representatives of expert and academic communities. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for the end of October this year.