Worldwide Health Situation

Germany and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Advocate for Stronger Global Health Policy

Germany has shown its commitment to a stronger international response to global health challenges by supporting an international pandemic treaty and a financially robust World Health Organization (WHO). The country has also advocated for multilateral initiatives to address these issues.

At the recent World Health Summit, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German political foundation, was present with an official side event, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogue. The Foundation's Working Group on Global Health delved into various topics, including the impact and benefits of digitalization and AI for global health, women's health, and the current status of negotiations on an international pandemic treaty.

The Working Group aims to continue the dialogue on current questions of global health and provide a platform for knowledge exchange. It bundles and stabilizes expertise on the topic, connecting actors from politics, industry, science, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations in the field of Global Health.

The WHO is a central actor in global health policy, focusing on combating diseases, strengthening health systems, and improving overall living conditions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations also include Goal 3 "Health and Well-being," which focuses on health and well-being as a political priority.

Resilient health systems are necessary to prepare for future pandemics. Technical innovations and sustainable lifestyles play a significant role in creating resilient health systems. Innovations in the health sector, such as the rapid development of diagnostic tests and effective vaccines, have already demonstrated their power in overcoming global health challenges.

However, health risks that primarily affect developing countries and crisis regions also pose a global threat in the event of a pandemic. The focus areas of German global health policy include the fight against antibiotic resistance, non-communicable diseases, and research of neglected tropical diseases.

The WHO has identified ten greatest threats to health, including air pollution, climate change, non-communicable diseases, the increasing resistance of germs to antibiotics, and a growing number of people who refuse vaccination. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation also addresses these threats, discussing topics such as cross-sectoral health partnerships, medicine shortages, antimicrobial resistance, and scientific cooperation on neglected tropical diseases.

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation does not currently offer its own event series dedicated exclusively to the topic of Global Health, but has been present with an official side event at the World Health Summit since 2022. Germany, through the German Ministry of Health, was also officially represented at the 2022 Global Health Summit.

The Foundation views global health as a crucial cross-cutting theme that should be considered from various perspectives and in conjunction with other policy areas. Europe, as a global health actor, also plays a significant role in addressing these challenges. By working together, it is hoped that we can create a healthier and more resilient world for all.