Impact
The World Health Summit is the international platform for global health. Every October, the annual World Health Summit brings together leaders from politics, science and medicine, the private sector, and civil society to set the agenda for a healthier future. Over 300 speakers and more than 3,000 participants from around the world take part.
2024
Signature Event for the WHO Investment Round
At the World Health Summit 2024, the largest donor event for the WHO Investment Round so far was hosted, with pledges totaling one billion US dollars made or reaffirmed. “All for Health, Health for All: Signature Event for the WHO Investment Round” was attended by high-level speakers such as Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Chair of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, and Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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Launch of Global Health 2050: The Lancet Commission on Investing in Health 3.0
The Lancet Commission launched its third report on Investing in Health (CIH 3.0) Global Health 2050. The report highlights how focused health investments can achieve improvements in human welfare by 2050. It shows that countries that choose to do so could achieve the goal of “50 by 50”—a 50% reduction in the probability of premature death, i.e., death before age 70 years, by 2050.
Inauguration of the WomenX Collective Berlin Hub
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in cooperation with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) launched the WomenX Collective Berlin Hub. The hub sets up the stage for advancing innovation, research, and investments in women’s health with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. It is the first one in an international network of centres.
Launch of the GPMB Pandemic Risk Report
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) launched its new report "The changing face of pandemic risk". It outlines the key drivers of pandemic risk and provides a roadmap for strengthening our defences for global leaders, policy-makers, health professionals, and communities to build a safer, more resilient future.
Presentation of the Initiative "Invest in Women, Invest in Health"
The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development launched its initiative "Invest in Women, Invest in Health." The initiative fosters the fight against Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease affecting over 50 million women worldwide.
Launch of the Climate Overshoot Commission’s Policy Paper
The Climate Overshoot Commission launched its policy paper "Reducing the health risks of climate overshoot". As the world nears the 1.5°C limit, the interplay between climate overshoot and human health becomes increasingly critical. The publication addresses how public health dimensions must be at the core of the global climate responses and governance.
2023
Global Financing Facility (GFF) Pledging Event
At the World Health Summit 2023, the Global Financing Facility's pledging event was held to secure funding to improve health and rights for 250 million women, children and youth. Governments and philanthropies committed USD 445 million funding towards that goal.
Launch of the Equity 2030 Alliance
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Government of Ghana, and the Government of Norway launched the Equity 2030 Alliance. To normalize gender equity, the Alliance accelerates transformative norms and principles and introduces data-driven arguments and strategies for closing the gaps in women-focused and gender-inclusive health solutions in science, technology, and financing by 2030.
Launch of the Community Health Delivery Partnership
UNICEF launched the Community Health Delivery Partnership (CHDP) to accelerate the implementation of national priorities for primary health care at the community level.
Health: A Political Choice - From Fragmentation to Integration
Launch of "Health: A Political Choice - From Fragmentation to Integration", a publication of the Global Goverance Project featuring high-level contributions from World Health Summit speakers and global health leaders focusing on pressing global health topics.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative's (GPEI) Polio Pledging Moment
At the World Health Summit 2022, the polio pledging moment was held to secure funding for the GPEI's 2022-2026 Strategy to end polio. Global leaders confirmed USD 2.6 billion funding towards the goal.
Health: A Political Choice - Investing in Health for All
At the World Health Summit 2022, "Health: A Political Choice – Investing in Health for All" was launched. This official publication of the Global Governance Project produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) features several high-level contributions calling for sustainable and sufficient financing of health in all policies.
Germany and other funders pledge support to countering antibiotic resistance
At the World Health Summit 2022 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research announced an additional funding to support the work of the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP).
UN Progress Report on Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health 2016-2030
At the World Health Summit 2022, the 2022 progress report on the UN Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030) called “Protect the Promise: Equal Access and Opportunity for Every Woman, Child and Adolescent” was presented.
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German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announces funding for CEPI
At the World Health Summit 2022, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announced additional funding for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Appointment of New World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassadors
At the World Health Summit 2022, Henrietta Lacks’ family was appointed World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassadors for Cervical Cancer Elimination. The appointment recognizes their efforts to champion cervical cancer prevention and to preserve the memory of Henrietta Lacks, who died from cervical cancer in 1951.
WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All Financing for Health Brief
At the World Health Summit 2021 the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All new Financing for Health brief was presented. The presentation was followed by a press conference with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General and Mariana Mazzucato, Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. More
Memorandum of Understanding
At the World Health Summit 2021, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Global Health Projects.
"From Worlds Apart to a World Prepared" - The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Report 2021
At the World Health Summit 2021, "From Worlds Apart to a World Prepared" was launched. The publication by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) shows how the failures of COVID-19 were rooted in inequality and inaction and what needs to be done to create a safer future.
Memorandum of Understanding
At the World Health Summit 2021, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Teheran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration and cooperation in global health.
Governing Health Futures 2030 Report by The Lancet and Financial Times Commission
At the World Health Summit 2021, the Governing Health Futures 2030 Report by The Lancet and Financial Times Commission was launched. It looks at the intersection of youth, digital technologies and UHC and provides recommendations on how to speed up much needed action to uplift the health of children and young people in an increasingly digital and data-driven world.
Health: A Political Choice - Act Now, Together
At the World Health Summit 2020, "Health: A Political Choice – Act Now, Together" was launched. A publication which calls on world leaders and politicians to unite in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other imminent and long-term threats to population health and the global economy. It is an official publication of the Global Governance Project produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Memorandum of Understanding
At the World Health Summit 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin signed a Memorandum of Understanding on global health. "As outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding, the World Health Organization and Charité will continue working together to accelerate progress in health-related Sustainable Development Goals by promoting and supporting WHO’s five-year strategic plan during the World Health Summit. As part of the collaboration, the World Health Summit will serve as a platform to provide annual updates on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-Being for All, an initiative of 12 leading international agencies to coordinate their activities to improve global health and meet health-related SDG targets."
Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All
At the World Health Summit 2018, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) presented the "Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All" aimed at aligning cooperation among major global health organizations to help reach UN health target. The document had been signed by eleven leading global health organizations the same day.
Memorandum of Understanding
At the World Health Summit 2018, the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration and cooperation in global health.
World Federation of Academic Institutions for Global Health
At the World Health Summit 2013, the World Federation of Academic Institutions for Global Health (WFAIGH) was officially established.
Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin
At the World Health Summit 2013, the Centre Virchow-Villermé for Public Health Paris-Berlin (CVV) was established.
Opinions
"In today’s world, we need to look after our health by looking after our planet, our wellbeing and our sustainable development. And we need to do it together—through global health cooperation and not through global health com petition. This is the aim of this conference."
Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
"Forums such as the WHS are and remain indispensable. For they ensure that critical debate can take place which provides space for different perspectives and allows free academic exchange at the highest level, thereby laying the foundation for knowledge-based and rational policymaking."
Olaf Scholz
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
"We have no choice but learn from the current crisis and be better equipped for the next pandemic. This is our responsibility as leaders. In order to do better, we must understand better and rely on scientific work. That is what the WHS is all about!"
Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
"The international community has set itself the goal of ensuring that every woman, man and child in the world has the chance of a healthy life. The World Health Summit shows that this goal does not have to remain a mere wish. This extraordinary dialogue forum is a particularly rich source of new solutions and ideas of benefit to humankind."
Angela Merkel
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (until 2021)
"As a founding member of the organising committee for the first World Health Summit, and now as a patron, I am delighted to see how this event has gone from strength to strength. It is now one of the most important meetings on the global health calendar (...)"
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)
"One of Europe’s largest university hospitals, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is dedicated to forward-looking science, quality education, and innovation in healthcare.
Since its inception at Charité in 2009, the World Health Summit has become a leading forum for these principles.
Strengthening partnerships and collaborations—among institutions, across sectors, beyond specialties and across borders—is key to maximizing the impact of innovation in medicine and science."
Heyo Kroemer
CEO, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany