World Health Summit 2026

Context

The World Health Summit (WHS) 2026, held in Berlin from 11–13 October 2026, hosted the first joint public discussion involving prospective candidates for the next WHO Director-General. The discussion focused on the future of WHO, multilateral cooperation and global health governance.

About World Health Summit

1. The World Health Summit is an international multi-stakeholder global health forum.
2. Founded in 2009, it brings together representatives from governments, science, civil society and the private sector.
3. Its flagship Summit is held annually in Berlin, Germany, while WHS Regional Meetings are hosted in different parts of the world.
4. It is organised by the WHS Foundation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
5. Its purpose is to promote cross-sector cooperation, evidence-based dialogue and innovative solutions to major global health challenges.

World Health Summit 2026

1. Theme: “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health.”
2. The Summit emphasised moving from short-term crisis response towards resilient, equitable and future-ready health systems.
3. Major areas of discussion included:
   • Global health architecture
   • Pandemic preparedness and response
   • Women, children and youth health
   • Future-ready health systems
   • Conflict and health
   • Environmental drivers of health
4. WHS 2026 brought together more than 4,000 participants from 130 countries and territories, generated over 50,000 livestream views, and featured 400+ speakers across 76 sessions.

WHO Director-General Discussion

1. On 11 October 2026, WHS brought together prospective candidates for the post of WHO Director-General.
2. It marked their first joint public appearance in the ongoing WHO leadership-selection process.
3. Discussions focused on priorities for the future of WHO, global health architecture and multilateral health cooperation.
4. The next WHO Director-General is expected to be appointed by WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in May 2027.

World Health Summit vs World Health Assembly

1. World Health Summit: A multi-stakeholder global health forum organised separately by the WHS Foundation; it is not a WHO governing body.
2. World Health Assembly (WHA): The decision-making body of the World Health Organization, comprising WHO Member States.
3. WHS mainly facilitates dialogue, partnerships and agenda-setting, while the WHA formally adopts WHO policies, programmes and decisions.

FAQs

Q1. What is the World Health Summit?
It is an international multi-stakeholder global health forum.

Q2. Where is the annual World Health Summit held?
In Berlin, Germany.

Q3. Who organises the World Health Summit?
The WHS Foundation GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Q4. What was the theme of WHS 2026?
“From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health.”

Q5. Is the World Health Summit a WHO governing body?
No. It is organised separately by the WHS Foundation and is distinct from the World Health Assembly.