79th World Health Assembly | GSF Special Side-Event
What’s Next
for Philanthropy
Investing in Local Leaders for Impact
Monday, 18 May 2026 | 6:00 pm
Ballroom A, Hôtel InterContinental
Geneva, Switzerland & virtual
Official registration opens in April 2026
Event Overview
The task now is to build
As the dust settles on the seismic shifts of 2025, a transformed global health landscape is coming into view. The era of fragmented, traditional aid is over.
The only viable path forward is efficiency, resilience, and strong local ownership.
So, what’s next for philanthropy? It is evolving from a passive funder into a decisive, catalytic force. We are witnessing the rise of a new paradigm where philanthropic capital is deployed specifically to back local leaders and secure the surgical backbone of entire health systems.
In 2026, we have moved past the theoretical. While old models falter, a new alliance is driving down mortality and securing national sustainability. Discover how early adopters are bridging the gap to national scale. The blueprint is proven, the foundation is poured: the task now is to build.
Why You Should Attend
Building on a record-breaking legacy, this special GSF World Health Assembly (WHA) side-event convenes global leaders to:
Navigate the Funding Shift
Discover how philanthropy is transforming into a decisive backer. Learn the strategic shifts required to attract and unlock this new wave of investment.
Unpack the Hard Evidence
Move past the theory. Hear directly from frontline leaders who are already translating catalytic funding into measurable, life-saving impact on the ground today.
Join the Pioneers
Be in the room when new funding commitments are announced. During our networking reception, connect with the pioneers actively bringing the proven financing standard to scale.
Featured Voices
Moderator:
Ms. Femi Oke, International Journalist and Co-Founder Moderate the Panel (pictured)
Featuring:
World-leading experts in surgical care and financing, frontline workers with current hands-on experience, SURGfund and SURGhub partners, and high-level government officials.
Stay tuned for speaker announcements.
The Turning Point
A Look Back at WHA78
Last year, a growing coalition of pioneers officially stepped forward with a historic wave of commitments to SURGfund. 2025 marked the official turning point where surgical investment moved from an afterthought to a core strategy.
WHA78 poured the foundation. Now, we build.
More to Come
Registrations Open in April
In the coming weeks, we will be announcing our featured panelists, which will include world-leading experts in global health and financing, frontline workers driving change on the ground, high-level government officials, and key SURGfund and SURGhub partners.
While official registration opens in April, you can sign up for our WHA79 mailing list today. Be the first to receive speaker announcements, the final detailed agenda, and priority access to secure your seat as soon as registration goes live. Inquiries: s.hofbauer@globalsurgeryfoundation.org
Explore the WHA79 Event Calendar
Ensure your session is visible to the thousands of delegates, policymakers, and partners using our guide to navigate the assembly.
We welcome submissions for all relevant global health side events, whether held in-person in Geneva or virtually.