The concept of Global Health is currently at the top of the national and international political, health, and media agendas. It is an area of common interest, particularly at a time when, alongside the Chair in Global Health at the University of Coimbra, we are also developing a national Observatory of Global Health.

I believe that peace and cooperation are foundational to health, and health is every individual's fundamental right. WHS Academic Alliance is a leading global health network that unites the brightest minds, offering a platform to share experiences in international research.

The global health challenges, especially those diaproportionally affecting the Global South, merit collaborative and contextualized solutions. The one-size-fits-all or unilateral approaches have proved futile in most settings. That was the main premise for the establishment of the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut as the first such entity in the Middle East and North Africa region; and many similar institutes across the Global South. A key enabling factor for the success of such entities and their global counterparts is through networking, knowledge sharing and exchange. It is in that context that the WHS Academic Alliance serves as a leading platform for global health advancement and synergies.

It is a privilege to be able to contribute to the important work by the WHS Academic Alliance, especially in the current era of fragmenting global partnerships. Not only does the Alliance have a core focus on establishing genuine partnerships in global health, it also has the vision of improving global governance of health and local health systems to deliver more equitable health outcomes. This sits at the very heart of what the National University of Singapore and the National University Health System believe in, and why we as founding members remain committed to the Alliance. We see our role in global health to extend beyond traditional academic indicators, to include a clear empasis on the real-world impact that we have because of our research, education, and practice. The Alliance thus provides my colleagues and me with the oppportunity to work with like-minded passionate people to make the world a better place for current and future generations.

I believe the Alliance has a distinctive value in creating a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on evidence-based strategies to address global health challenges. As part of a collective effort, I'm proud to be involved in initiatives that contribute to a healthier, more equitable world.