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
- The World Health Summit is an international multi-stakeholder global health forum.
- Founded in 2009, it brings together representatives from governments, science, civil society and the private sector.
- Its flagship Summit is held annually in Berlin, Germany, while WHS Regional Meetings are hosted in different parts of the world.
- It is organised by the WHS Foundation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
- Its purpose is to promote cross-sector cooperation, evidence-based dialogue and innovative solutions to major global health challenges.
World Health Summit 2026
- Theme: “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health.”
- The Summit emphasised moving from short-term crisis response towards resilient, equitable and future-ready health systems.
- 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
- 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
- On 11 October 2026, WHS brought together prospective candidates for the post of WHO Director-General.
- It marked their first joint public appearance in the ongoing WHO leadership-selection process.
- Discussions focused on priorities for the future of WHO, global health architecture and multilateral health cooperation.
- 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
- World Health Summit: A multi-stakeholder global health forum organised separately by the WHS Foundation; it is not a WHO governing body.
- World Health Assembly (WHA): The decision-making body of the World Health Organization, comprising WHO Member States.
- 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.
