This note sets out how the International Health Agencies will move forward in a coordinated manner to support countries seeking to scale up work to meet the health-related MDGs. It builds on the conclusions and follow-up to the HLF, and the learning from various initiatives aimed at health systems strengthening at country level, for example the work of GAVI/HSS and the Harmonization for Health in Africa (HHA).

Many countries have been engaged under these different initiatives; those that signed up to the IHP in September are committed to developing 'compacts' with international development partners. A formal request to join the IHP+ has also been received from Madagascar, and many other countries (especially those supported by the Catalytic Initiative) are engaged in preparatory work towards ‘compacts’. These compacts are expected to result in (i) an increased focus on national health and AIDS strategies and plans on health-related MDGs; (ii) improved harmonization and alignment of aid; and (iii) long-term predictable financing.

The International Health Partnership and the related initiatives have created a coordination process, so-called the IHP+, where work is taken forward following some key principles: The focus of this process will be on health-related MDG outcomes. Increasing aid effectiveness, improving policy, strategy and health systems performance, and mobilizing all actors, including non-State actors, more efficiently are all means to an end; Actions will be country-focused and country-led. All activities will be contingent on country circumstances and will build on already existing structures, mechanisms and health plans in countries. They will be supported by dedicated regional and global activities, if necessary; The work will evolve as it brings together the support for the implementation of the IHP and related partnerships and initiatives (e.g. Global Campaign for Health MDGs with focus on women and children according to MDG4 & 5, the Catalytic Initiative, Health Metrics Network, Global Health Workforce Alliance, Providing for Health, etc.).