Program

WHS 2022 central topics and their sessions:

KEY 02 - Game Changer: Architecture for Pandemic Preparedness
Oct. 17, CEST: 11:00 - 12:30 (Keynote)

Despite considerable effort invested in global pandemic preparedness over the last two decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to be better prepared to identify and respond to new pandemic and epidemic threats. Several high-level panels and commissions have recommended improvements to the global public health architecture, while both the G7 and the G20 have pandemic preparedness high on their agendas.  A major challenge at both the global and country levels is how to build stronger and smarter surveillance, especially for rapid detection of unknown pathogens, coupled with effective decision-making and response capabilities. A fundamental reality is that stronger pandemic and epidemic intelligence requires that all countries are better prepared and able to collaborate with each other effectively. For this, structural aspects are important such as international legal frameworks, financing mechanisms, improved multi-sectoral collaboration, and the strengthening of existing global public health organizations, including the World Health Organization.

KEY 03 - Game Changer: A New Lens on Investment in Health and Well-Being
Oct. 17, CEST: 16:00 - 17:30 (Keynote)

The urgency of sustainable and equitable investing in health and well-being is proving to be more important than ever given today's intersecting global challenges. There have been extensive discussions on the need to increase investments in health especially following the impact of the COVID19 pandemic; financial institutions are more engaged and several new financial instruments have been proposed. While there has been a shift towards responsible investment by private and by institutional investors – especially with regard to climate impact - more needs to be done to ensure that large financial flows support health, improve the health impact of economic actors and to widen the ESG approach to include health considerations. As vulnerable and marginalized people groups are particularly affected, investment targeted to health and its determinants also plays a crucial role for health equity.

KEY 04 - Game Changer: Digital Transformation for Health
Oct. 18, CEST: 11:00 - 12:30 (Keynote)

The digital transformation of health is progressing with great speed. Today digital technologies represent an essential component on the path to health literacy, sustainable health systems and universal health coverage. Fundamental changes are currently taking place in healthcare with regard to the way medical care is delivered and information is procured and disseminated. Digital Health First strategies are being developed rapidly as many large tech companies enter the health arena. The role of the major tech platforms in relation to reliable health information has been prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemics have become a major threat to health. These developments have led to new forms of cooperation between international organizations and the tech industry at the global level. However, in many countries, significant investments in both health and digital infrastructure are needed and the regulatory environment is weak. There is concern about data extraction and loss of digital sovereignty. Countries need robust digital health strategies that integrate leadership, financial, organizational, human and technological resources as well as support to address the major impediments they face.

KEY 05 - Polio Pledging Event
(More info will follow asap)

KEY 06 - Moving Forward: Making the Political Choice for Health
Oct. 18, CEST: 16:00 - 17:30 (Keynote)

Today's world continues to face major health challenges that require strong political commitment. The new UN Common Agenda proposes action in four broad areas: renewed solidarity between peoples and future generations, a new social contract anchored in human rights, better management of critical global commons and global public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all. This is the framework which we need to take forward for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 3 for Health and Well-Being. Through changing demographic, economic and political patterns, health patterns are also changing: intersecting global health threats such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change and pollution must be urgently tackled through global collaboration. Further, the geopolitical and health dynamics unfolding on a global scale need to be addressed. As the COVID-19 pandemic shows, collective action and political commitment are required to deal with a global health crisis; but it is the long-term political decisions that make the difference. Investing in universal health coverage is fundamental to ensure access to high quality health services for everybody without leading to financial hardship. Investing in a healthy planet is the key to people’s livelihood and health. Only strong political commitment with the support of parliaments and a whole of government approach addressing the broad range of health determinants can achieve tangible progress.