On the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly, we will convene the Health Diplomacy House on Thursday, 21 May 2026, in Geneva.
The Health Diplomacy House is an informal, co-creation space where organizations can host sessions, lead discussions, and work together on practical health policy issues. It is part of the “Predictable Uncertainty” series of events held by the Health Diplomacy Alliance throughout the year and brings together policymakers, diplomats, academia, civil society, philanthropic organizations, patient groups, and other partners engaged in global health.
The aim is to provide a setting that supports open exchange and practical collaboration, outside formal formats, while addressing complex and evolving health challenges.
The venue is located in the historic Rothschild buildings, originally built in the 19th century as a hospital and later repurposed. The space is modest and practical and suited for focused discussions and exchange.
The House will host a series of discussions, roundtables, and smaller exchanges throughout the day, as well as provide space for bilateral meetings and media interactions.
While the agenda remains open, sessions are expected to focus on
- One Health, including global health security and antimicrobial resistance
- Climate change and health
- Health financing
- Global health architecture and governance
We encourage sessions that are guided by a clear agenda but remain flexible in format, without pre-set questions or scripted interventions, to allow for open and responsive discussion.
The day will conclude with an informal outdoor* gathering, providing an opportunity to continue discussions with Assembly participants.
If your organization would like to contribute by hosting a session or discussion, please indicate your interest via the short form below by 24 April 2026. Space is limited, and the agenda is currently being finalized.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Health Diplomacy House during the 79th WHA.
* Subject to weather conditions.
Join the Health Diplomacy House
Multiple sessions happening simultaneously; please register in advance to secure your seat.
MORNING SESSIONS
OPENING
8 :00AM- 9:00AM CET
Reflection in an era of Predictable Uncertainty
The opening session of the Health Diplomacy House brings participants into a focused, informal conversation on how global health is changing across governance, financing, and institutional processes. It sets the tone for subsequent partner organization sessions within the Health Diplomacy Alliance, including our strategic priorities—AMR, climate change and health, health governance, and sustainable financing—and how these connect to wider reform processes. The session is designed as a space that goes beyond standard exchanges, supporting reflection on how current shifts connect across agendas and shape future cooperation and coordination in global health.
Panelists:
Speakers and facilitators to be announced.
9:30AM- 11:00AM CET
What’s at Stake and What Comes Next for Global Health Reform
This interactive session explores the future of global health reform at a critical moment for international cooperation. As numerous reform initiatives emerge, it has become increasingly challenging for stakeholders to track developments and engage meaningfully.
The session will provide clear and accessible insights into the structural drivers behind global health reform, highlighting four key paradigm shifts shaping the future. It will also examine major milestones—from the Gavi Leap and Accra Reset to ongoing WHO-led processes—while addressing both opportunities and risks for meaningful change.
Participants will be invited to engage, reflect, and contribute to shaping the next era of global health.
Panelists:
More speakers and facilitators to be announced.
LUNCH SESSION
12:30PM- 13:20 PM CET
Plastics & Health: What we’re not talking about
This interactive session explores the future of global health reform at a critical moment for international cooperation. As numerous reform initiatives emerge, it has become increasingly challenging for stakeholders to track developments and engage meaningfully.
The session will provide clear and accessible insights into the structural drivers behind global health reform, highlighting four key paradigm shifts shaping the future. It will also examine major milestones—from the Gavi Leap and Accra Reset to ongoing WHO-led processes—while addressing both opportunities and risks for meaningful change.
Participants will be invited to engage, reflect, and contribute to shaping the next era of global health.
Panelists:
More speakers and facilitators to be announced.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Events to be announced.
CLOSING SESSIONS
CLOSING
17:00PM -18:30 PM CET
CHECK THE BOX
The closing session of the Health Diplomacy House will focus on tracking political commitments on antimicrobial resistance, assessing the distance between declaration and implementation, and identifying the diplomatic and policy levers needed to accelerate action.
Panelists:
