On 2 March 2016, the United Nations Secretary-General announced the appointment of a Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth (the Commission), co-chaired by H.E. Mr. François Hollande, President of France, and H.E. Mr Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) serve as the co-vice chair along with Mr Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) set an ambitious agenda to improve the lives of all, including through improved health and prosperity. Recent outbreaks have additionally confirmed the urgency of building resilient health systems and strengthening global health security. Health workers and health employment reside at the heart of the SDG agenda.

The global economy is projected to create around 40 million new health sector jobs by 2030; mostly in middle- and high- income countries. Despite the anticipated growth in jobs there will be a projected shortage of 18 million health workers to achieve and sustain the Sustainable Development Goals primarily in low and lower-middle income countries.

The rising global demand and need for health workers, over the next fifteen years, presents significant challenges. Importantly, it also offers the opportunity to generate employment, in areas where decent jobs are most needed.

The Commission has been tasked with proposing actions to stimulate the creation of health and social sector jobs as a means to advance inclusive economic growth, paying specific attention to the needs of low- and lower middle income countries.