Newsletter 04/2025: From India to the World - WHS Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi

Dear Friends of the World Health Summit,

April was a month with an absolute highlight: From 25–27, I had the incredible pleasure of joining over 4,500 members of our vibrant global health community in New Delhi for the WHS Regional Meeting 2025. Under the inspiring theme “Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity,” the event - brilliantly hosted by NIMS University Jaipur, with Ashoka University and Manipal Academy of Higher Education - highlighted the power of regional leadership and the urgent need for inclusive, equitable solutions.

What impressed me most was the remarkable energy and openness that filled every discussion - from traditional medicine to digital innovation to primary care and climate resilience. It was especially encouraging to see so many young voices taking an active role, reminding us all that the future of global health is already taking shape - and India and the region are playing a central role.

This momentum must be carried forward, continuing crucial conversations in the region and bringing them to the World Health Summit in Berlin this October and to upcoming WHS Regional Meetings.

I am also looking forward to meeting many of you in Geneva, where our side event at the World Health Assembly will focus on “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World.” Now more than ever, trust, collaboration, and a deep sense of shared responsibility must guide our efforts.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Axel R. Pries
President
World Health Summit

It's a wrap! For three days, over 4,500 participants from 54 countries gathered for the WHS Regional Meeting 2025 in more than 150 sessions to discuss, reflect, connect and work together towards building a healthier future for all. The WHS Regional Meeting took place in India for the first time and brought together global health leaders and youth from India, the region, and beyond. 

Voices from #WHSNewDelhi2025

Balvir S. Tomar, WHS International President 2025 and Chancellor of NIMS University, called for tangible action:
“Let’s craft a future where health is a universal promise, powered by science and guided by equity.”

Saima Wazed, WHO South East Asia Regional Director, stressed the global ripple effect of local action:
“When we advance the health and well-being of our people, the health of the whole world improves.”

Ilona Kickbusch, WHS Council Co-Chair, looked ahead to the future of health:
“Our lives will be digital. Global health will move toward planetary health and equity.”

Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, summarized the special atmosphere:
"New connections could be made and we were really able to engage on a new level with people and experts from the regions. I look forward to take some of these lessons to our annual summit in Berlin in October.“

Here you can find the recordings of the sessions. For more insights from #WHSNewDelhi2025 check out the WHS social media channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.

With new connections and inspiring talks in mind towards World Health Summit 2025

During the three days, our WHS team had numerous chances to connect, discuss and network with people from academia, politics, the private sector, and civil society. We also listened to exciting speakers and got inspiration and new impulses. We will carry this positive spirit into the World Health Summit in October in Berlin.

Strengthening Global Health Ties: WHS Academic Alliance Gathers in New Delhi

One day before the WHS Regional Meeting, the WHS Academic Alliance - the academic backbone of the World Health Summit - gathered in New Delhi for the traditional WHS Academic Alliance Assembly. The agenda was fully packed with discussions about how to advance the global health research landscape, the upcoming WHS Regional Meetings or projects such as the Young Leaders in Global Health Award. We warmly welcomed the new Alliance members, Ashoka University and Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, ENSP, Fiocruz who had the chance to highlight their organizations and priorities within the alliance.

The designated professors and delegates in the WHS Academic Alliance came to New Delhi from around 30 academic global health institutions. After a day of insightful talks and discussions, they couldn't miss a bit of sightseeing and the golden hour sunshine.

Young Leaders in Global Health Award

The WHS Academic Alliance and NIMS University are thrilled to have selected the winners of the Young Leaders in Global Health Award - the first time that institutions of the WHS Academic Alliance could nominate outstanding young candidates to be part of the WHS Regional Meeting in India. Find more details on our website. 

We are excited to invite you to our side event at the 78th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO that is held annually in Geneva. This year, the World Health Summit is hosting its own side event for the first time - find all details here:

Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World
Hosted by World Health Summit & Gates Foundation

We are facing increasing geopolitical tensions, rising inequality, and the persistent threat of pandemics - these challenges require diversified global health governance. To discuss how such a governance landscape could look like, we have invited the most powerful leaders from organizations such as WHO, G20, BRICS and more. Register now to join them in powerful talks and discussions.

May 21, 2025 | 17:00 – 21:30 CEST | Geneva, Switzerland

InterContinental Genève, Ballroom B/C
7, Chem. du Petit-Saconnex 9, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland

Find all info here

For the first time, WHS is giving you the opportunity to host one of six side meetings for free. On each of the three days of the World Health Summit (October 12-14), two side meetings in either a roundtable setup or in a theater-style setup can be hosted by youth organizations or civil society organizations.  

Apply here

For World Immunization Week in April, the Charité Center for Global Health has shared three powerful stories of impact from their researchers: advancing maternal immunization and digital health innovations in Gambia, reaching zero-dose children in Madagascar, and building vaccine R&D capacity in Ghana. 

Check out the latest info, recent projects, and upcoming events on the Charité Center for Global Health website.