Sweeping changes in technical and financial support have put at risk numerous workforce and critical support systems that underpin healthcare delivery and digital systems across many of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Amidst these challenges, during the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, Member States approved the request for a two-year extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020 - 2025 (from 2025 to 2027) and a proposal for a second global strategy (2028–2032) to be discussed at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. The Executive Board highlighted priority areas such as digital and data governance, interoperability, digital infrastructure, equitable access to patient-centric technologies, artificial intelligence, digital health literacy and workforce capacity development.
Implemented under the Global Health Strategy 2025 – 2028 (WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work), the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) aims to accelerate the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020 – 2025 and its possible extensions and renewals.
Guided by the above priorities articulated by Member States and the urgent need for action, this event will focus on building back better. How could an extension and renewal of the Global Strategy on Digital Health support countries to strengthen governance, local entrepreneurship and sustainability in national digital transformation?
Objectives:
- Discuss and identify priority actions of the anticipated extension of the Global Strategy on Digital Health (2025 – 2027) that can support low- and middle-income countries to close urgent gaps for digital systems that underpin healthcare delivery (pending approval of Agenda item 24.2 of the Seventy Eighth session of the World Health Assembly)
- Discuss key themes to be considered in the anticipated renewal of the Global Strategy on Digital Health (2028 – 2033) (pending approval of Agenda item 24.2 of the Seventy Eighth session of the World Health Assembly)
- Map a pathway for how collective partnerships and network collaboration can plan, finance and execute a sustainable and country-led digital transformation.
This convening follows the first Global Initiative on Digital Health Global Convening which convened in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 to 29 May 2024 through a hybrid format. This year’s convening will see various opportunities to discuss and engage a global audience such as panel and breakout discussions, rapid presentations and more.
Next steps
Submission of abstracts closed on Monday 16 June.
Visit the GIDH webpage to stay updated.
Explore past insights: Review outcomes from the 1st GIDH Global Convening (2024).