Press Release: Global Health Leaders Convene at The World Health Summit in Berlin to Chart the Future of Health Policy and Systems Research

On October 13, 2025, Health Systems Global (HSG) hosted a session at the World Health Summit in Berlin titled “On the Road to HSR2026: Opportunities for Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) in the New Global Landscape.” The 90-minute event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and researchers to explore how HPSR can respond to and shape the evolving global health environment.

Event Highlights

Welcome Address Dr. Goran Zangana, Chair of the Europe Network of HSG and HSG Treasurer, opened the session by welcoming attendees and emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration in advancing HPSR.

Opening Remarks Dr Ana Amaya, Vice-Chair of HSG, provided strategic reflections on the organization’s role in strengthening health systems research globally.

Panel Discussion: Opportunities for HPSR in the New Global Landscape Moderated by Dr. Goran Zangana, the panel featured:

• Dr. Kumanan Rasanthan, Executive Director of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, who spoke on “Financing HPSR in a New Global Health Era”
• A researcher based in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC)
• A policy-maker from a fragile or conflict-affected setting (Note: Final speaker details were confirmed during the session.)

Interactive Q&A Session Dr. Francisco Avideo facilitated a lively discussion with audience members, who posed questions and shared perspectives on the future of HPSR.

HSR2026: Vision, Priorities & Opportunities Prof. Fadi El-Jardali unveiled the vision and emerging priorities for the upcoming Health Systems Research Symposium in 2026, inviting the global community to engage in shaping its agenda.

Reflections and Closing Remarks Dr. Ana Amaya, Vice Chair of HSG, concluded the session with thoughtful reflections on the discussions and a call to action for inclusive and sustainable health systems research.

 Key Takeaways

The session underscored the urgent need for innovative financing, inclusive research partnerships, and policy engagement to ensure HPSR remains responsive to global challenges. It also marked a significant milestone on the path to HSR2026, setting the tone for deeper collaboration and strategic alignment across regions and disciplines.

Health Systems Global thanks all participants and contributors for making this event a success and looks forward to continued dialogue and action in the lead-up to HSR2026.