Newsletter 11/2024: WHS 2024 Film & Register Now for WHS Regional Meeting 2025

Dear Friends of the World Health Summit,

With the October World Health Summit behind us, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to each of you for making this gathering a success, from inspiring speakers and panelists to lively discussions and dedicated attendees.

Looking ahead, I am pleased to invite you to the upcoming WHS Regional Meeting in New Delhi, from April 25-27, 2025, centered around the theme “Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity.”

As we gather in India, a country at the forefront of healthcare innovation and digital health, we will explore critical topics such as the future of AI in health, health diplomacy, planetary health, and women’s and children’s health, with specific viewpoints from India and the broader South and Central Asia region. The unifying aim is to build equitable solutions that empower communities and extend quality care to all. We hope you will be able to join in building momentum toward a healthier, more unified world with a truly global perspective.

In an increasingly uncertain environment, we need to be mindful of the current obstacles to health and well-being worldwide, including recent setbacks in human rights and challenges that affect women’s health and freedoms. These issues underscore the critical importance of our joint mission, urging us to strengthen our collective resolve to support resilience, inclusivity, and respect for all.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Axel R. Pries
President
World Health Summit

Lights, camera, action! The WHS 2024 film is here—packed with highlights, memorable moments, and global health insights. Relive 3 days of 'Building Trust for a Healthier World' in under 5 minutes.
Watch Now

The WHS Regional Meeting 2025, taking place April 25–27 in New Delhi, will bring together experts and leaders to address critical health challenges and work toward achieving health equity. This year’s theme, "Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity," focuses on driving solutions for a healthier future in the region and beyond.

The event is jointly hosted by NIMS University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Ashoka University.

Register Now

G20 Publication: Global Governance Project
 

Under the motto 'Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,' this year's G20 Summit in Brazil  emphasized the need for trust and global collaboration. WHS President Axel R. Pries highlights in the current edition of The Global Governance Project publication "G20 Brazil: The Rio Summit", that effective health cooperation requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to equity. Read his full message on building a healthier, more sustainable world.

The World Health Summit is taking action for a healthier planet. In partnership with Tree Adoption Uganda, a tree has been planted for every participant, supporting climate-resilient health systems. We’ve also fully offset carbon emissions from speakers’ flights through Gold Standard-certified projects, including clean energy, biogas initiatives and further projects that are designated to one or more SDG.
Learn more about our sustainability efforts on our website.

Participation at WHS 2024 reflects a younger, more diverse audience, with growing representation from under-40 groups. Gender balance remains strong, with women making up 55% of all participants and an equal share among chairs and speakers.

New Executive Committee

We are delighted to welcome three distinguished individuals to the Executive Committee of the WHS Academic Alliance: Professor Yik-Ying Teo, Vice-President for Global Health at the National University of Singapore (NUS); Ambassador Luís Almeida Sampaio, representing the University of Coimbra; and Professor Damalie Nakanjako, Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences. The Executive Committee serves as the esteemed governing body of the WHS Academic Alliance, overseeing its operations and acting as the public representative of the network. The new members were elected during the WHS Academic Alliance assembly in October in Berlin. 

The assembly also recognized the dedication and achievements of four outgoing Executive Committee members, who were thanked for their years of impactful service to the WHS Academic Alliance. A heartfelt appreciation was extended to Professor Hélène Boisjoly, University of Montreal; Professor Benedict Canny, University of Adelaide; Professor Charles Ibingira, Makerere University; and Professor Luciano Saso, Sapienza University, for their invaluable contributions.

Meet the Key Players in Global Health: The WHS Academic Alliance People

Who is behind the WHS Academic Alliance, the academic network of the World Health Summit? Meet the top global health players from leading global health institutions around the world. As members of the WHS Academic Alliance, they all are united by a shared commitment and work tirelessly to promote academic expertise as the backbone of evidence-based decision-making in global health policy. The Alliance provides the annual International President of the World Health Summit and organizes the annual WHS Regional Meeting in the respective member country. The various topics of the WHS Academic Alliance members play a prominent role in the program of the WHS each October in Berlin.

More about the WHS Academic Alliance, its members and activities

In Gaza, 556,774 children under 10 have received a second polio vaccine dose since September 2024, thanks to a UNICEF and WHO-led campaign. This achievement highlights urgent health needs and the extraordinary efforts of health workers, who reached 94% of the target population despite ongoing hostilities. November 29 marks the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Source: WHO, UN

Check out the latest info, recent projects, and upcoming events on the Charité Center for Global Health website.