The G7 is a group made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States representing the seven largest advanced economies in the world and the 2017 Presidency is held by the Italians. As well as a Leaders meeting, held at Taormina in May, the countries brought together Health Minsters from across the world from 5-6 November.
The agenda covered climate variability and its impact on human health, women's and adolescent's health as well as anti-microbial resistance.
Mr Brine - who led the UK delegation of officials from the Department of Health, Public Health England and the British Embassy – told the meeting that the UK was totally committed to the Paris Climate Change Agreement and spoke about action the UK Government is taking to tackle air pollution which he said was responsible for 40,000 early deaths each year and remains the largest environmental risk to public health with cardiovascular disease a major impact.
He also addressed fellow Ministers on the subject of women in the developing word having access to the same high quality family planning and sexual health services enjoyed in the UK and said it was time to focus seriously on the issue of perinatal health and the critical importance of the first 1000 days of a child's life.
Speaking at the end of summit press conference, the Mr Brine said; "We are all here because we care about health. This comes with a recognition that we cannot seek to improve health just on our own shores because diseases and infections do not respect borders so we must work together to achieve real results.
"The issues we have spoken about—AMR, climate variability, women's and adolescents' health—all underpin our ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development and health are intrinsically linked and I look forward to working ever closer with G7 partners to this end."
Mr Brine also held bi-lateral meetings with the Health Ministers of Italy and Japan to discuss issues of common interest and with Canadian Heath Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor who he urged to place mental health at the heart of their agenda when Canada assumes the G7 Presidency in January 2018.
Pictured; Steve speaking at the end of meeting press conference to the world's media and as part of the G7 family photo.
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