The international health community gathered this week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the 32nd Canadian Global Health Conference (CGHC).
This event, considered the most important in Canada in its field, brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, students, civil society representatives, and private sector stakeholders each year to share ideas and develop strategies to address current health challenges.
The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (ECOWAS-RCSDC) actively participated, led by its Executive Director, Dr. Diarrassouba Mamadou, who headed a large delegation.
CGHC 2025 represents a crucial milestone for ECOWAS-RCSDC and its partners in their fight for health equity. By bringing together committed stakeholders around a theme that inspires hope and innovation, this conference positions itself as a catalyst for accelerating the transformation of the global health system.
It invites everyone to reflect, collaborate, and act for a future where health and social justice are inextricably linked, in a constantly changing world. It is an essential event for shaping the future of global health, with the commitment of the CRSCM.
Under the theme “Navigating the Path to the Future: Advancing Global Health in a Changing World,” this major gathering aimed to stimulate innovation, collaboration, and collective reflection in the face of crucial challenges: geopolitical instability, the climate crisis, funding inequalities, and persistent health disparities, both nationally and internationally.
A space for dialogue and action
Over four days filled with enriching discussions, the 2025 Global Health Conference (GHCC) offered a diverse program including plenary sessions, interactive workshops, oral and poster presentations, and networking opportunities.
The goal was to foster the creation of strong and lasting partnerships, while showcasing best practices that contribute to health equity.
Areas of interest were numerous: governance, financing, collaboration, and trust in global health; youth, gender, and inclusive leadership; health security in the face of threats such as epidemics and climate change; and finally, harnessing technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, to advance global health.
A conference for a diversity of voices
More than just a gathering, the GHCC aimed to be an inclusive forum for exchange where the diversity of perspectives and disciplines was valued.
The active participation of students, young professionals, and Indigenous communities was encouraged to build a representative and engaged global health community.
This year’s co-chairs emphasized the importance of this diversity in strengthening the conference’s impact: “Our strength lies in the plurality of voices and experiences.
By working closely together, we can better address challenges and build a more equitable future for health.”
A community mission
The organizers, members of the Canadian Association for Global Health (CAGH), stressed the need to continue mobilizing and connecting this community to advance health justice.
“Together, we are strengthening our collective voice to advocate for equity and innovation,” they stated.
Whether in person or virtually, CAGH 2025 provided a vital platform for shaping the future of global health, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier and more equitable world.
