World Health Assembly 2026 (WHA#79)
Connecting the Unconnected
The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA#79) will take place in Geneva in May 2026, convening global health leaders, governments, innovators, investors, and partners to shape the future of equitable and resilient health systems. As the world’s highest decision-making body for global health, WHA provides a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action on the most pressing health challenges facing countries today.
Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx) will once again host and participate in a series of high-level side events alongside WHA 2026, building on our role as a neutral convener at the intersection of innovation, policy, and finance. Our engagement will focus on advancing practical, scalable solutions that strengthen health systems, particularly in climate-vulnerable and underserved settings.
HIEx at WHA#79
At WHA 2026, HIEx will convene leaders to explore how Sovereign AI, robotics in healthcare, resilient cities, and innovative financing can be harnessed to expand equitable access to care and build long-term system resilience. The discussions will be grounded in real-world use cases and country priorities, with a strong emphasis on shared public infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration.
Building on momentum from previous HIEx convenings at WHA, UNGA, and the World Health Summit, the 2026 program will bring together ministries, innovators, investors, academia, and the private sector to move beyond dialogue toward implementation. Particular attention will be given to emerging and frontier markets, including Africa and Southeast Asia, where digital and climate-resilient health solutions are urgently needed.
FOCUS AREAS
HIEx’s engagement at WHA 2026 will centre around the following interconnected themes:
Responsible AI & Digital Transformation – including shared public AI infrastructure and responsible deployment in health systems
Robotics in Healthcare – advancing surgical robotics, remote care, and automation to expand access, improve precision, and strengthen health system capacity in resource-constrained settings
Resilient Cities & Climate-Health Systems – strengthening urban and regional health resilience to climate shocks
Innovative & Blended Financing – unlocking capital to scale health innovation sustainably
Advanced Therapies & Oncology Access – expanding equitable access to life-saving treatments
Women-Led Entrepreneurship – amplifying the role of female innovators in health and climate solutions
Mental Health & Traditional Medicine – advancing inclusive, culturally relevant models of care
what to expect
HIEx’s WHA 2026 program will feature a dynamic and interactive format designed to catalyse action, including:
An Opening Plenary with global leaders
Thematic Sessions across priority focus areas
Reverse Pitch Sessions, enabling Ministries of Health to present real system needs directly to innovators
An Innovation Marketplace showcasing curated solutions in health, AI, climate, and innovative financing
Targeted Bilateral Meetings and Investment Engagements to accelerate partnerships
A detailed program, speaker lineup, and registration information will be announced closer to the event.
Join Us
HIEx looks forward to welcoming partners, policymakers, innovators, and investors to Geneva during WHA 2026.
We are finalising our program, but you have the opportunity to register your early interest in attending our events. Complete the short survey to stay informed and receive early access to our WHA 2026 program as it takes shape.
Stay connected through our channels for program updates and opportunities to participate.
For enquiries, please contact: comms@hiex.ch