UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced the establishment of a high-level panel on health technology innovation and access.

The secretary-general has appointed Ruth Dreifuss, former president of Switzerland, and Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana, as co-chairs of the panel, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"In order to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of people of all ages, as set out in Sustainable Development Goal 3, new modalities are urgently needed to ensure that everyone can have access to quality treatment at affordable costs," the spokesman said.

The Sustainable Development Goals, approved by world leaders in September, serve as the blueprint for the global development efforts for the next 15 years.

The panel, made up of 15 eminent, well-respected individuals with a deep knowledge and understanding of the broad range of trade, public health, human rights and legal issues associated with access to treatment, is expected to hold its first meeting in December 2015 and to engage in extensive consultations with stakeholders, Dujarric said.

"A set of recommendations will be presented to the secretary-general in June 2016," said the spokesman.

"The secretary-general will make the report available to the General Assembly and take any further action, as appropriate," he added. Enditem

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