The Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access will hold a high-level event on 19 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), marking one year since the launch of the initiative. Register here.
The event will bring together ministers of health, heads of delegation, representatives of international organizations, manufacturers, academia, civil society and global health partners to discuss progress achieved during the coalition’s first year and future priorities.
Launched in 2025 through the signing of the Geneva Inception Letter, the coalition was created to strengthen local and regional production, foster innovation aligned with public health needs and promote equitable access to health technologies, particularly in developing countries and for persons in vulnerable situations.
The coalition is guided by a Steering Committee composed of the African Union, Brazil, China, European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, and supported by an Advisory Committee chaired by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The anniversary event will highlight concrete progress achieved during the coalition’s first year, including the coalition’s ongoing Call for Proposals focused on dengue.
Discussions will also address future initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation, innovation and sustainable production capacities in the Global South.
EVENT DETAILS
What: First Anniversary of the Global Coalition: A Year of Progress
When: 19 May 2026
Where: Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (Jardin de Penthes – Chemin de l’Imperatrice 18, Pregny-Chambésy)
Who: Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegation attending WHA79; government representatives; members and partners of the Global Coalition; Permanent Missions in Geneva; international and regional organizations; representatives from public and private manufacturers, academia and civil society; and global health partners and foundations.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
The event will open with welcome remarks by Dr. Mario Moreira, President of Fiocruz and Executive Secretary of the Global Coalition.
It will feature a high-level ministerial panel discussion on the coalition’s first Call for Proposals and future initiatives, with participation from ministers and heads of delegation from members of the Steering Committee.
The session will be moderated by Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chair of the coalition’s Advisory Committee.
Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, President of the Steering Committee, will deliver a keynote address. The event will conclude with a networking reception aimed at strengthening engagement and partnerships among coalition members, partners and stakeholders.
The coalition’s first year has focused on strengthening collaboration and policy dialogue among governments and partners while advancing concrete actions to improve equitable access to health technologies.
Organizers expect the anniversary event to reinforce political commitment, expand partnerships, generate interest in potential project proposals under the coalition’s ongoing dengue-focused Call for Proposals, and sustain momentum for future initiatives.
Find out more about the Global Coalition: https://globalcoalitionforlocalproduction.org
More information: coalition [at] fiocruz.br
