The theme of WHS 2026: “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health”

Under this year’s theme, the Summit will bring together more than 400 speakers from politics, science, civil society and the private sector to discuss innovative solutions to key global health challenges.

With more than 75 sessions, participants will have the opportunity to foster cross-sectoral exchange, dialogue and partnerships, and explore ways to make health systems more equitable, resilient and future-ready.

Side meetings and open-to-the-public side events

In addition to the main programme, the WHS offers the opportunity to attend side meetings. These smaller, more interactive settings provide space for exchange and networking. A regularly updated list of upcoming side meetings is available here:

Please note that participation in these side meetings requires registration for the World Health Summit 2026. 

To complement the official programme, we have also compiled a list of interesting global health events that are open to the public and take place in and around Berlin before and after the WHS:

Monday 5 – Wednesday 7 October 2026 at Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Lützowplatz 17, 10785 Berlin
International One Health Symposium 2026
Register here

Wednesday 7 October 2026, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (CEST) at CCO Auditorium on Charité Campus Mitte, Virchowweg 6, 10117 Berlin
Charité Center for Global Health Community Day 2026
Register here

Friday 9 October 2026, 9:15 am – 4:00 pm (CEST) at KPMG, Heidestraße 58, 10557 Berlin
9th German–East European Health Forum
Register here

Friday 9 October 2026, 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm (CEST) at German Health Alliance, BDI Denkfabrik 4.002, Breite Straße 29, 10178 Berlin
Women’s Health Data and AI: From Principles to Progress 
More information

Saturday 10 October 2026, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (CEST) at the Great Ceremonial Hall, Rotes Rathaus Berlin (Berlin City Hall), Rathausstraße 15, 10178 Berlin
Virchow Prize Lecture and Ceremony 2026
More information

Sunday 11 October 2026, 10:30 am – 02:00 pm (CEST) at delphi LUX Cinema, Kantstraße 10 / Yva-Bogen, 10623 Berlin
When it’s time to deliver, can health systems too? A Sunday matinee featuring the documentary WISE WOMEN
Register here

Monday 12 October 2026, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (CEST) at Hotel Pestana Berlin Tiergarten, Stülerstraße 6, 10787 Berlin
Public Interest or Private Power? Global Health at a Crossroads
Register here

Monday 12 October 2026, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (CEST) at Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof, Budapester Str. 25, 10787 Berlin
Simulation Exercise Event “Critical Choices - Beyond the Pathogen: The Social Dimension of Pandemics”
Register here

Wednesday 14 October 2026, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (CEST) at Karl Storz Visitor Centre, Berlin
10th German-African Health Forum
Register here

Did we miss any significant global health events happening in the days surrounding WHS? If we did, please let us know (info@globalhealthhub.de)

Tips for the Summit

Whether it is your first time at the World Health Summit or you are already a regular participant, we know the experience can feel a little overwhelming at times. With so many different perspectives, backgrounds and topics, it can be hard to take it all in. That’s why we would like to share a few tips and tricks to help you pitch your work, engage in meaningful dialogue and make the most of the Summit – without drowning in information.

Prepare your 30-second “What do you do?” answer

You will be asked this approximately 47 times. Please have an answer that is shorter than your organization’s mission statement.
 
Learn at least five new acronyms – but don’t feel guilty about forgetting 47 other  

Global health runs on acronyms. If you don’t know what someone means, nod thoughtfully and ask later. Bonus points if you eventually find out what the acronym actually stands for. 

At the end of each day, write down three things.
One thing you learned. One person you want to follow up with. One idea you want to take home. Otherwise, by the end, everything may have merged into one large, caffeine-fuelled blur of panels, business cards, and discussions about resilience.

And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!