Global Health Architecture Post-COVID-19

The devastating aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic taught the world a clear lesson: there is an urgent need to strengthen the global health architecture underpinned by strong governance and financing as well as connected and coordinated globally by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although a substantial commitment from many stakeholders, including governments, multilateral agencies and nongovernmental organizations is necessary to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a major challenge is the fragmentation of the global health architecture. Multiple new initiatives and a variety of agencies and projects limit the gains of specializations and lead to over-burdening countries.

In the face of colossal global health threats due to conflicts, pandemics, and climate change, as well as in the context of a complex geopolitical situation we witness the emergence of new initiatives, addition of new actors as well manifestation of multilateral initiatives tailored to the “disease of the day”. Thus, the creation of new structures and institutions that are meant to close gaps or inefficiencies lead to even more fragmentation. At the same time, the WHO supposed to be the foremost leader in the global health arena finds itself in a murky sea of well-wishers and has been chronically underfinanced to meet the expectations posed on it.

Against this background, the panelists will share their visions for the global health architecture post-COVID-19 and discuss on the necessary political leadership to address fragmentation and work towards the needed consolidation.