Newsletter 02/2025: Get Ready for New Delhi and Meet New WHS Academic Alliance Members

Dear Friends of the World Health Summit,

In many countries worldwide, we are facing political developments where the activity of joint multinational institutions addressing health on a global level, including the WHO, is put to the question. Some national governments but also large popular fractions are increasingly opposed to provide finances and competencies to international bodies – arguing that available resources should be used to cater for local needs first.

While it is fully understandable that serving local constituencies is the first obligation of governments and administrations, it is also a clear fact that in many areas, including climate and health, this requires very effective multinational cooperation. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 "Good Health and Well-being" will not be reached without strong multinational initiatives and institutions. Investments in such cooperative approaches are needed to render health everywhere and in any country more resilient vis a vis the increasing danger of global health threats and pandemics. But investing in health is also indispensable to stimulate growth, productivity, societal resilience, and peace. Thus, catering for local needs and supporting multinational cooperation and institutions are no contradictions but rather are necessary components of effective health policies.   

With this in mind, we look ahead to the WHS Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, taking place in just two months, from April 25–27. Under the theme "Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity," this gathering will bring together experts, policymakers, and innovators to address one of the most pressing issues in global health today: ensuring that medical progress and healthcare solutions reach everyone, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. At a time when political shifts risk deepening divides, this discussion is more urgent than ever.

As the world navigates complex political and economic dynamics, let us strengthen our resolve to uphold collaboration, trust, and action in global health. Only by working together across sectors and borders can we create sustainable solutions for a healthier, more equitable future.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Axel R. Pries
President
World Health Summit

Join the upcoming WHS Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, India from April 25-27, hosted by NIMS University and co-hosted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Ashoka University.

You can expect three days packed with insightful global health discussions on shaping the future of health in India and beyond. 

Here is what awaits you: 

➡️ Pressing topics including health diplomacy, AI and digital health, climate, health and peace and more topping the agenda

➡️ Engaging with leaders, speakers, and colleagues from all sectors linked to health

➡️ Learning experiences and new insights in inspiring debates

Get all details on the WHS Regional Meeting 2025 website.

Two New WHS Academic Alliance Members in India and Brazil 

The Alliance proudly welcomes two new institutions: ENSP-Fiocruz, Brazil, and Ashoka University, India. 

The National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca (ENSP) strengthens Brazil's health system through workforce training, research, and public health services. As a Fiocruz unit, it collaborates with various institutions to drive public health innovation and policy.

Ashoka University offers interdisciplinary programs in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, emphasizing research, real-world experience, and global faculty and is a co-host of the WHS Regional Meeting 2025. 

The New Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security Report

Six out of every ten people in the world lack access to safe, quality, affordable medical oxygen. This contributes to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths yearly and reduces quality of life for millions, according to a recent report released by The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security. The first preview of the report was presented at the World Health Summit 2024.

The new report, Reducing global inequities in medical oxygen access, provides the world’s first estimates of the large scale and inequitable distribution of medical oxygen coverage gaps and the cost of closing them. It contains recommendations for how governments, industry, global health agencies, academic institutions, and civil society can work together to guarantee medical oxygen access for all.

Read the full report

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 top players from leading global health institutions around the globe. 

More about the WHS Academic Alliance, its members and activities

Up to 5.6 billion people are now covered by at least one tobacco control policy and global smoking rates have declined according to studies. This February marks 20 years of the WHO tobacco control treaty.

Source: UN

We are thrilled to welcome Anna Störmer as new Communications Director: As of March 1, Anna Störmer will take on the role of Communications Director at the World Health Summit. With her extensive experience as a PR manager and corporate communications expert in both national and international settings, she will further enhance the visibility and recognition of the World Health Summit and strengthen the understanding of global health issues among policymakers, the scientific community, the private sector, and civil society. 

Our colleague Daniela Levy, who previously led the communications strategy as Executive Advisor Strategic Communications, will now focus on strategic projects for the World Health Summit at her request. 

Get more details

Event Announcement: Time to Act - Achieving Health Equity for Women with Disabilities

This event at the Global Disability Summit on April 2, 2025, in Berlin, co-hosted by the Missing Billion initiative, Women Enabled International, and the World Health Summit, will launch the landmark report on women’s health for women with disabilities. It will convene leaders working in disability inclusion, global public health stakeholders, and inclusive health advocates to accelerate progress toward disability-inclusive health systems for women all across the globe.
Register your interest

Call for Applications: The Einstein Foundation Award for Promoting Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency in Research

Together with World Health Summit partner BIH QUEST Center for Responsible Research, the Einstein Foundation Berlin will award the Einstein Award for Promoting Quality in Research for efforts and ideas aimed at fundamentally enhancing the reliability of research. Nominations of individual researchers, small teams, and institutions who have done pioneering work in this domain are welcome. Additionally, innovative ideas from early career researchers, aiming to promote research quality, are encouraged. The 2025 winners will receive €350,000. Deadline: April 30, 2025. 

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