Berlin (OTE) – Global leaders reaffirmed their commitment to health
as a political
priority and a cornerstone of peace and resilience on day 2 of the
World Health Summit , the leading platform for global health. Against
the backdrop of geopolitical crises, global leaders called for shared
responsibility in shaping a healthier, more resilient world on the
World Health Summit stage.
Nina Warken, German Federal Health Minister, emphasized: “Germany
is and remains a reliable and committed partner of the World Health
Summit and also of WHO. In view of the current challenges, it is more
important than ever to engage in constructive dialogue and work
together to strengthen global health. The World Health Summit offers
a good opportunity to deepen cooperation with international partners.
Beyond that, we are also committed to consolidating international
cooperation and strengthening institutions such as WHO. Germany will
live up to its leadership in global health and international
cooperation. Only in this way can we overcome global health
challenges.“
“Taking political responsibility for health means choosing to
cooperate, to invest, and to act before the next crisis,” stressed
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management and
Commissioner for Equality. “The European Union has made that choice –
by strengthening its preparedness and response capacities, and by
driving global solidarity through the new Global Health Resilience
Initiative. In a world of fragmentation, the EU stands for
cooperation, trust in science, and shared responsibility – because
our health, our security, and our future depend on it.”
Leaders also underscored that health security, sustainable
financing, and global solidarity must remain central to building a
stable and equitable future.
“In our divided and turbulent world, investing in public health
has never been more essential, both as the foundation of stable and
secure societies, and as a bridge to peace between communities and
nations,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“We call on all countries and partners to focus on what matters most:
the people we serve, and to harness the power of science, partnership
and innovation to build a healthier, safer and fairer future.”
New Gallup Report Revealed at World Health Summit: Peace, Health
and Emotional Wellbeing Rise and Fall Together
Peace, health and emotional wellbeing rise and fall together,
according to Gallup’s inaugural State of the World’s Emotional Health
report, launched in partnership with the World Health Summit. Drawing
on 145,000 interviews across 144 countries and areas in 2024, Gallup
finds nearly four in ten adults worldwide reported experiencing a lot
of worry or stress the previous day – hundreds of millions more than
a decade ago. In 2024, 39% of adults worldwide reported feeling
worried the previous day, and 37% said they felt stressed. Reports of
sadness (26%), anger (22%) and physical pain (32%) remain widespread.
All are higher than they were a decade ago. The report pairs Gallup’s
World Poll data with the Institute for Economics & Peace’s Global
Peace Index and Positive Peace Index to show how people’s emotional
lives intertwine with stability and health.
“Our work with the World Health Summit brings clarity to a simple
truth: emotional wellbeing and peace are not separate pursuits. When
one fails, the other follows. In less peaceful countries, people are
far more likely to report sadness and anger, even after accounting
for income differences,” states Gallup CEO, Jon Clifton. Positive
emotions such as laughter, enjoyment, and respect are less common in
less peaceful societies and depend more on GDP. This is not the case
for negative emotions, which remain strongly tied to fragile peace —
suggesting that while peace reduces distress, it does not deliver a
positive emotional dividend above and beyond GDP per capita.
Reflecting on the findings, WHS CEO Carsten Schicker underscored
the importance of this partnership: “Gallup’s new data confirm what
we at the World Health Summit see every day: Peace, health and
emotional wellbeing are inseparable. Emotional distress at a societal
level is not just an individual burden; it is a warning sign for
societal fragility, and a call to collective action. By working
together across sectors, we can turn evidence into solutions that
strengthen resilience and stability worldwide. That is why the World
Health Summit is proud to partner with Gallup: Together, we bring
health to the center of the global agenda.”
New Global Report Shows: Global Health Security Hangs in the
Balance in a Volatile and Uncertain World
A new global report launched today at WHS 2025 outlines
preparedness priorities to protect people worldwide from future
pandemics and other health crises. The new Global Preparedness
Monitoring Board (GPMB) 2025 report calls for scaled up investment in
primary health care, real-time risk assessment, and international
cooperation to ensure local and global communities are ready to
prevent and respond to the next pandemic.
“In our increasingly volatile and uncertain world, real
preparedness for pandemics and other health emergencies must be
anchored in well-functioning and well financed primary health care
systems,” said Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, GPMB Co-Chair and former
President of Croatia. “Robust primary health systems reach deep into
communities, providing essential health services in peacetime and
building the deep trust that is fundamental to an effective health
response when crises strike.”
The GPMB, established in 2018 following the West Africa Ebola
epidemic, monitors the state of the world’s preparedness for
pandemics and other health crises. It is an initiative supported by
the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
Reflecting on the findings of the GPMB report, World Health
Summit President Axel R. Pries emphasizes: “To tackle emerging
threats like pandemics and the climate crisis, we need resilient,
inclusive systems, innovative financing, and genuine partnerships
that empower local leadership. This requires a new approach to care –
strengthening primary health care, engaging communities more closely,
and ensuring a protected health workforce; and stronger cooperation –
built on solidarity, equity, and the fair sharing of data, samples,
and benefits. The World Health Summit helps drive this change by
fostering collaboration and keeping health high on the international
agenda.”
About the World Health Summit
The World Health Summit is the leading platform for global
health. It brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the
private sector, and civil society to set the agenda for a healthier
future. Founded in 2009, the WHS is held every October in Berlin and
is organized by the WHS Foundation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Charité
– Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Links:
Watch the Recording: WHS Signature Event: Taking Responsibility
for Health in a Fragmenting World
State of the World’s Emotional Health 2025
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) 2025 report: The New
Face of Pandemic Preparedness
Digital press kit: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/DE75345/aom