World Health Summit 2025 Kicks Off with Germany’s €1 Billion Commitment to the Global Fund, New Global Health Data, and the Call to Reform Global Health Financing

The World Health Summit 2025 (WHS) opened in Berlin today to discuss the most pressing health challenges globally. The Summit brings together over 4,000 leaders and changemakers from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society from more than 140 countries. As the leading platform for global health, the WHS features 75 sessions, brings together over 400 speakers, and hosts more than 85 side meetings over three days.

The World Health Summit 2025, held under the leitmotif “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World,” convenes at a critical moment for global health amid a deepening crisis of financing.

Germany announces to give €1 Billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

On the first day of the WHS 2025, Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), announced Germany’s financial commitment of 1 billion euros to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming Germany’s continued commitment to strengthening global health systems.

Reem Alabali Radovan emphasized: “Despite painful budget cuts and the enormous pressure to save within the ministry, we have succeeded in providing one billion euros for global health protection. This sends an important signal: Germany will continue to be actively engaged in protecting people around the world from disease. The fight against major infectious diseases is not only a moral imperative but also a matter of reason: pathogens know no borders - they spread wherever they can, where prevention, medicines, and medical care are lacking, and beyond. Every euro invested in the Global Fund pays off: it strengthens the health systems of our partner countries and makes the world more resilient. In doing so, we save millions of lives. That is why we must remain strong together.”

Joining her on stage Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, highlighted: “The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to curb the spread of infectious diseases and further reinforce health and community systems in the most vulnerable countries. With innovations like lenacapavir, AI-powered TB detection, and smart mosquito nets, we have the tools; now we need the political will. Germany’s latest contribution sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and sets a strong foundation as we move toward the final pledges at our Eighth Replenishment Summit.”

Germany’s announcement follows a series of high-level commitments to major global health institutions made at previous World Health Summits, including the WHO Investment Round in 2024.

New Global Burden of Disease Study Presented: Global Mortality Declines, Youth Deaths Rise, Widening Health Inequities

According to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study launched at the World Health Summit exclusively and published in The Lancet today, global mortality rates are falling but not among youths and young adults. Additionally, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) now account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s total mortality and morbidity – led by ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Researchers also estimate that nearly half of all death and disability could be prevented by modifying some of the leading risk factors, such as reducing high levels of blood sugar and high body mass index (BMI).

Dr. Christopher Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine, explains: “The Global Burden of Disease 2023 findings underscore that data is the foundation for informed action. While global mortality continues to decline, persistent inequities and rising deaths among youth in several regions reveal critical gaps in progress. Turning these insights into effective prevention, equitable access to care, and stronger health systems is essential to ensure that all people can live longer, healthier lives.”

Developed with contributions from over 16,500 researchers and institutions worldwide, the GBD Report represents the most extensive and detailed evaluation of global health trends to date.

Leaders at the World Health Summit 2025 Call for Urgent Reform in Global Health Goverance and Financing

During the first keynote at WHS 2025, Transforming the Global Health Architecture – Rethinking Governance and Financing Models, global leaders called for bold action to overhaul how global health is governed and financed. Amid geopolitical instability and declining aid, essential health programs are increasingly at risk, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where dependence on external funding coincides with mounting debt and constrained domestic budgets.

The discussion highlighted practical pathways forward, from fairer health taxation and innovative financing through diaspora bonds to positioning the health sector as a driver of inclusive economic growth.

"When people get sick, it is a tragedy, but it is also an economic burden. They will contribute less economically and will depend more on state services," stressed Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on the panel at the WHS. "I would like to see governments in wealthy countries recognize that health, development, and economics are intertwined - and that debt relief, international tax cooperation, and reform of the international financial architecture are critical to achieving better health and development outcomes for all."

Byanyima’s call for a fairer global health and financial system resonates strongly with the overall goal of the World Health Summit. “The World Health Summit comes at exactly the right time, as the world urgently needs concrete solutions to enhance cooperation for health and build sustainable, equitable health systems,” says Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit. “With the 2025 Summit, we want to set a new course – making the WHS 2025 the starting point for a renewed global health architecture that drives collaboration, equity, and lasting impact.”

About the World Health Summit

The World Health Summit is the leading platform for global health. It brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to set the agenda for a healthier future. Founded in 2009, the WHS is held every October in Berlin and is organized by the WHS Foundation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.