This high-level side event kickstarted thematic discussions in preparation for the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC and mobilized political leadership for strengthening health systems through a primary health care-oriented approach. Government representatives, UN agencies, and key global health stakeholders took stock of the implementation of the 2019 Political Declaration on UHC, evaluated gaps and challenges – including the impacts of COVID-19 – and shared best practices and lessons learned to build back better and accelerate progress towards UHC.