Berlin (OTE) – The World Health Summit (WHS) 2026, the leading
platform for global
health, brings together more than 4,000 participants from 130
countries in Berlin and tens of thousands more online from October 11
to 13. Under the theme „From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for
Health,“ the Summit convenes leaders from politics, science, civil
society, and the private sector. Discussions address Ebola and other
infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, pandemic preparedness,
resilient health systems, health care in conflict settings such as
Ukraine, and climate-related health threats. The Summit will also
address WHO leadership through a conversation with prospective
candidates for the next WHO Director-General.
Against this backdrop, WHS President Axel R. Pries emphasized the
need for innovation and collaboration: „Past achievements and
continued progress in global health are increasingly challenged by
multiple and overlapping crises. To build resilient, effective, and
equitable health systems, we need innovation across biomedicine and
technology, financing, delivery, and political coordination. This
requires partnership and trust within and beyond the health sector
and is at the heart of the World Health Summit 2026 leitmotif.“
Announcements and new pledges during the official WHS press
conference:
– Diene Keita , Executive Director of UNFPA, highlighted the
Government of Bangladesh’s landmark investment of 250 million euros
in women’s health, supported by the European Investment Bank.
– John-Arne Røttingen , CEO of Wellcome, launched the Wellcome Global
Monitor 2026 , which shows trust in science has fallen since the
COVID-19 pandemic.
– Ilana Ron Levey , Managing Director at Gallup, shared findings from
the State of the World’s Emotional Health 2026 Report , examining the
relationship between social media use and emotional well-being.
The entire main program is livestreamed free of charge:
https://www.youtube.com/@WorldHealthSummit/streams
