World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin to Address Global Health Future

Berlin is hosting the World Health Summit (WHS) 2026, a key global health forum, from October 11 to 13. The event brings together more than 4,000 participants from 130 countries in person, with tens of thousands more joining online. The summit's central theme is "From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health."

The agenda includes discussions on pressing health challenges such as infectious diseases, including Ebola, antibiotic resistance, pandemic preparedness, resilient health systems, and the health impacts of conflicts and climate change. The summit will also address leadership at the World Health Organization (WHO) through conversations with candidates for the next Director-General.

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," Pries stated.

Several announcements were made during the summit. Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, highlighted Bangladesh's €250 million investment in women's health. John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of Wellcome, launched the Wellcome Global Monitor 2026, which indicates a decline in trust in science since the COVID-19 pandemic. Ilana Ron Levey from Gallup presented findings from the State of the World’s Emotional Health 2026 Report, examining the link between social media use and emotional well-being.