The World Health Summit (WHS) is an international strategic forum for global health that convenes stakeholders from science, business, politics, and civil society to discuss key challenges in global healthcare.
In addition to the conference in Berlin, the World Health Summit features annual WHS Regional Meetings held in different parts of the world as well as activities throughout the year such as the WHS Global Health Dialogues, which aim to foster exchange among decision-makers and thought leaders in smaller settings.
The World Health Summit’s academic basis is the WHS Academic Alliance, a network of academic health centers, universities and national academies that organizes the WHS Regional Meetings and international initiatives in the global health sector. History The founders recognized that whilst similar gatherings of leaders were well established in fields such as economic development and technology, a global forum did not exist for medical practice, research and health care systems.
The initiative for the summit came from Detlev Ganten, former CEO of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, with the aim of bringing together political decision-makers, with scientists and healthcare experts to jointly develop strategies for sustainable healthcare on a scientific and medical background. The first conference took place in October 2009 on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin under the theme “The Evolution of Medicine” and attracted approximately 700 participants to Berlin.
The summit was established under the patronage of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy. The patronage by the German Chancellor was continued by Olaf Scholz as well as that of the French President by Francois Hollande, and by Emmanuel Macron. They were joined in 2013 by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Jean-Claude Juncker and Ursula von der Leyen continued this patronage until 2021. Since 2019, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom joined as patron. WHS Patronage
In 2022, the World Health Summit was co-hosted with the World Health Organization (WHO), bringing together a wide range of high-level global health stakeholders. Key topics included “Climate Change and Health”, “Pandemic Preparedness”, “Food Security”, “Digital Transformation”, “Sustainable Health Systems”, and “The Role of Germany, the G7 and G20 in Global Health.” The event featured 60 sessions with 400 speakers and attracted 4,000 participants on site and 60,000 online from 140 nations.
Impact The World Health Summit has been the platform for a number of major global health initiatives and funding commitments to international organizations and programs. In 2024, a WHO Investment Round event at the World Health Summit secured $700 million for global health, with an additional $300 million pledged in advance by the European Union and the African Union. These funds are intended to help prevent 40 million avoidable deaths within four years. In 2023, a donor event for the Global Financing Facility raised $250 million to support the “Deliver the Future” campaign, which aims to provide essential healthcare to women, children, and adolescents in hard-to-reach communities. In 2022, $2.6 billion were pledged towards the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
List of all World Health Summits YearParticipantsCentral TopicsCo-Presidents2026 (April 27–29)2,000+ participants from over 50 countriesPandemic Preparedness and Health Security in Africa Climate Change, Environment, and Health Systems Resilience
Digital Health, AI, and Technological Innovation
Health Workforce, Financing, and System Building
Gender Equity, Youth Leadership, and Social Accountability
Mental Health, Psychosocial Support, and Well-being
Primary Healthcare, UHC, and Social Determinants of Health
Women, Adolescents, Child Health and NutritionProf. Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of the Medical College, East Africa, at Aga Khan University2025 (October 12–14)Reducing the Burden of NCDs: Prevention, Collaboration & Care, Artificial Intelligence: From Data to Decisions for Global Health Systems, Transforming Global Health Architecture: Rethinking Governance & Financing Models, Peace and Health: Building Bridges for Global Stability and Well-being, Climate in Crisis, Health at Risk: Equitable Strategies for a Resilient World, Women’s and Children’s Health: Transforming Policy into PracticeBalvir S. Tomar, NIMS University(International President 2025), Axel R. Pries, Charité, World Health Summit President)2024 (October 13–15)3,500 on site 21,000 digitallyFrom Pledges to Progress: Financing Global Health Solutions, Antimicrobial Resistance: Roadmap to Future Resilience, Empowering Futures: Strategies for Women's and Children's Health, The Climate-Health Nexus: Pathways to Action for Equity, Fostering Youth Leadership: Strengthening Voices for Impact, Artificial Intelligence: A New Era in Digital HealthSophia Zoungas, Monash University(International President 2024), Christina Mitchel, Monash University (International President 2024), Axel R. Pries, Charité, World Health Summit President)2023 (October 15–17)3,100 on site 12,000 digitallyLearning from COVID-19 for Future Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Recommitting to Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Health for People and Planet, G7/G20 Measures to Enhance Global Health Equity and Security, Harnessing the Power of Digital Technologies for Global Health, World Health Organization’s 75th Anniversary, Innovations to Accelerate the Fight Against Tuberculosis, Global Financing Facility (GFF) Pledging EventAdnan Hyder, George Washington University(International President 2023), Axel R. Pries, Charité (World Health Summit President)2022 (October 16–18)4,000 on site 60,000 digitallyInvestment for Health and Well-Being, Climate Change and Planetary Health, Architecture for Pandemic Preparedness, Digital Transformation for Health, Food Systems for Health, Health Systems Resilience and Equity, Global Health for PeaceTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO (Co-Host 2022), Axel R. Pries (World Health Summit President)2021 (October 24–26)6,000 on site and digitallyVaccine Equity: A Call to Action, The Role of the European Union in Global Health, WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All, The Intersection of COVID-19 and Mental Health, Unlocking Digital and AI Technologies for Health, Pandemic Preparedness: Lessons from COVID-19, Policy Track – Hosted by the Federal Ministry of HealthCharles Ibingira, Makerere University College of Health Sciences(International President 2021), Axel R. Pries, Charité (World Health Summit President)2020 (October 25–27)Digital only, 6,000 participantsPandemic Preparedness in the Age of COVID-19: Global Cooperation not Competition, Strengthening the Role of the European Union in Global Health, Climate Change and Health: Risks and Responses, Partnership for the Goals: United Nations’ 75th Anniversary, Accelerating the SDG3 Global Action Plan for Health and Well-Being, Translational Research: Advancing Innovative Treatments, Digital Health & AI for Pandemic PreparednessCharles Ibingira, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (International President 2020), Detlev Ganten (World Health Summit Founding President)2019 (October 27–29)2.500 on siteClimate Change and Health, Transforming Human Capital: Investing in Health and Education, Universal Health Coverage: Expanding Rights and Access, Health is a Political Choice: The Future of Health Policy in the G7/G20 and other Political Venues, SDG 3: The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-Being for All, Focus Africa: Building Capacities and Strong Institutions, Digital Health: Shaping Society and the Modern EconomyAli Jafarian, Tehran University of Medical Sciences(International President 2019), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2018 (October 14–16)2,400 on sitePandemic Preparedness, The Sustainable Development Goals: Health in All Policies, Access to Essential Medicines, Health Systems Strengthening, Antimicrobial Resistance, The Digital Healthcare RevolutionJoão Gabriel Silva, University of Coimbra, Fernando Regateiro, Coimbra University Hospitals(International Presidents 2018), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2017 (October 15–17)2,000 on siteHealth Policy in the G7/G20: The Future of Global Health Governance, Global Health Security: Policy Responses to Planetary Challenges, Healthy and Resilient Cities: Rethinking Urban Transformation, Vaccine Research and Development: Challenges and Opportunities, Strengthening Innovation and Health Systems in Africa, Big Data for Health Governance: Benefits, Frameworks and EthicsHélène Boisjoly, University of Montreal(International President 2017), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2016 (October 9–11)1,600 on siteMigration and Refugee Health: From Care to Policy, Technological Innovation for Health: Improving Healthcare Delivery, Women, Empowerment and Health: Equality and Agency, Translational Research: Advancing Innovative Treatment, Infectious Diseases: Lessons Learned from Ebola to Zika, Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming the Health AgendaAntoine Flahault, Institute of Global Health (International President 2016), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2015 (October 11–13)1,500 on siteEducation and Leadership, Research and Innovation, Evidence to Policy, Global Health for DevelopmentShunichi Fukuhara, Kyoto University(International President 2015), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2014 (October 19–22)1,300 on siteEducation and Leadership, Research and Innovation, Evidence to Policy, Global Health for DevelopmentJosé Otávio Auler Jr., University of São Paulo(International President 2014), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2013 (October 20–22)1,200 on siteResearch and Innovation, Education and Leadership for Health, Evidence to Policy, Global Health for DevelopmentJohn Eu-Li Wong, National University of Singapore(International President 2013), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2012 (October 21–24)1,200 on siteDiseases of Modern Environments, Translation Research into Policy, Health and Economy, Educating Health Professionals, Information Technology for HealthMichael J. Klag, Johns Hopkins University(International President 2012), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2011 (October 23–26)1,200 on siteToday’s Science, Research and Innovation, Strengthening Health Systems, Tomorrow’s AgendaSteve Wesselingh, Monash University (International President 2011), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2010 (October 10–13)1,200 on siteTranslation, Transition, TransformationStephen K. Smith, Imperial College(International President 2010), Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)2009 (October 14–18)700 on siteInfectious Diseases, Health Care Across the Generations, Health Systems, Adapting the Research AgendaAxel Kahn; Université Paris Descartes, Detlev Ganten, Charité (World Health Summit Founding President)
International network and activities The World Health Summit understands itself as an international strategic platform for global health. It holds close ties with international initiatives and organizations, facilitating year-round cooperation in projects and exchange programs over various world regions.
WHS Academic Alliance The WHS Academic Alliance (formerly M8 Alliance) is an academic network of institutions of education and research, including national academies. It was officially inaugurated in 2009 on occasion of the first World Health Summit.