Newsletter 12/2023: Season's Greetings & Outlook to 2024

Dear friends,

A year with a lot of challenges and dangerous developments comes to an end and we all hope for some relief in 2024. But due to the unwavering effort of many people all over the globe, there were also positive signals for a more constructive multilateral interaction to address the most pressing threats. At COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, the first ever health day at a Conference of the Parties brought a long-overdue focus to the inseparable link between climate and health.

This year in particular has provided ample examples of climates disasters that have had tremendous impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. The signing of the COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration by over 140 nations is a positive sign of commitment to place health at the heart of climate action. It is vital that these commitments are followed by coordinated action. The climate crisis affects all of us and also exacerbates already existing inequalities in global health. Supporting those countries which are most affected by global warming through the loss and damages fund is thus much needed.

Dear friends, in 2024 we all must intensify our work towards progress in Health for All. The World Health Summit will contribute by fostering cross-sectoral, international collaboration in global health und we look very much forward to continuing working with you.

The whole World Health Summit team and myself wish you a safe, successful and healthy new year 2024!

The World Health Summit team wishes you all the best for 2024!

Have you registered to join the WHS Regional Meeting 2024 in Melbourne, Australia, April 22-24? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of the conversations shaping the future of health in the fastest growing region of the world.

Early bird registrations close January 31 and international participants are encouraged to submit visa applications early. Visit the website for more information about travelling to Australia.

Changemakers from across the Asia-Pacific region and the world will converge to share local knowledge, challenge the status quo, and identify key pathways to a more equitable, sustainable and resilient health landscape in the Asia-Pacific that can be accelerated through shared action.

Register now
 

Speaker Announcements

The Regional Meeting host Monash University is excited to be welcoming some of the world’s most impactful figures in global health to #WHSMelbourne2024. The line-up of regional and global leaders joining is growing each week - check out the list of speakers announced.

Webinar Series on Migrant and Refugee Health

Save the date for a new edition of the M8 Alliance Expert Meeting - Webinar: "How can we improve access to care in Afghanistan?" 
January 15, 2024, 2 PM - 3:30 PM CET, hosted by Sapienza University of Rome in cooperation with Emergency and CRIMEDIM

Digital participation
More info

Pandemic Accord Roundtable Report: From Global Principles to National Action

"While parliaments must ratify the accord, the full spectrum of stakeholders must be involved in supporting implementation efforts." This is the key take-away from a roundtable discussion hosted by our partner Sanofi during the World Health Summit 2023 in Berlin. The event titled "From Global Principles to National Action: Implementation Challenges of the Future Pandemic Accord" brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss the national challenges and needs for the implementation of the future pandemic accord. 

Read the multi-stakeholder report

COP28: Over 40 Million Health Professionals Demand Bold Health and Climate Action

On the first-ever Health Day at a UN climate change conference, more than 40 million health professionals from around the globe joined the call to action by the World Health Organization (WHO) and civil society organizations, to prioritize health in climate negotiations at COP28 in Dubai earlier this month. The central demand is that the fight against the climate crisis must include support for climate-resilient health systems and sustainability in the health sector. Climate change affects health in a number of ways, including heatwaves and droughts, increased risk of infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue, and more, but these impacts have not yet been addressed at the multilateral level.

Read the call by health professionals
Read the COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration
 

African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator: $1 Billion For African Vaccine Manufacturing

The board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, approved the establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing instrument that will make up to US$ 1 billion available to support sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Africa. Its establishment is part of Gavi’s regional manufacturing strategy and will help establish a thriving, sustainable, end-to-end African vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.

Read more

January 1: G7 presidency Italy | EU Council presidency Belgium
February 14: General election in Indonesia
March 17: Presidential election in Russia
April 7: World Health Day
April 10: Legislative election in South Korea
April 22-24: World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Melbourne
May 24 - June 1: WHO World Health Assembly in Geneva
June 2: General election in Mexico
June 6-9: Election of the European Parliament
June 13-15: 50th Anniversary of the G7 Summit in Puglia
July 1: EU Council presidency Hungary
July 8-17: UN High-Level Political Forum in New York
September 10-24: UN General Assembly in New York
September 22-23: UN Summit of the Future in New York
October 13-15: World Health Summit in Berlin
November 5: General election in the United States
November 11-24: COP29 in Azerbaijan

Up for working with one of the most important international strategic global health forums and as part of a dedicated team in Berlin? The World Health Summit is hiring:

- Media and Public Relations Manager (deadline: January 30)
- Strategic Engagement Manager (deadline: January 15)
- Finance Assistant (deadline: January 15)

Get in touch with us, we look very much forward to hearing from you.
See all details here.

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