Geneva, Switzerland (Virtual) –
The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its 2nd Global Convening of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), bringing together health leaders, policymakers, technical experts, and stakeholders from around the world in a virtual forum from July 14-18, 2025. Under the theme “Coming together to build back better,” this pivotal event aims to accelerate the implementation of digital health solutions globally and bridge critical gaps in healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The GIDH, a WHO-managed network of networks, was established during India’s G20 presidency in 2023 to consolidate and amplify efforts in digital health. It serves as a crucial platform to align resources, promote knowledge exchange, and support country-led digital health transformation in line with the WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, which has recently received a two-year extension (2025-2027) by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board. Discussions are also underway for a second global strategy (2028-2032).
This week’s convening will delve into priority areas highlighted by the Executive Board, including:
- Digital and data governance: Establishing robust frameworks for ethical and secure data management.
- Interoperability: Ensuring seamless data exchange and communication between different digital health systems.
- Digital infrastructure: Strengthening foundational technological capabilities for widespread digital health adoption.
- Equitable access to patient-centric technologies: Ensuring that digital health benefits reach all populations, especially the vulnerable.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) in health: Exploring the responsible and beneficial integration of AI in healthcare delivery.
- Digital health literacy and workforce capacity development: Equipping both healthcare providers and the public with the skills needed to navigate and utilize digital health tools effectively.
The virtual format allows for broad- participation, fostering diverse perspectives through a series of panel discussions, breakout sessions, and rapid presentations. Key objectives of the convening include:
- Discussing and identifying priority actions for the extended Global Strategy on Digital Health (2025-2027) to support low- and middle-income countries in closing urgent gaps in digital systems.
- Mapping a pathway for how collective partnerships and network collaboration can plan, finance, and execute sustainable and country-led digital transformation.
The event underscores the WHO’s commitment to harnessing the power of digital technologies to achieve universal health coverage and improve health outcomes worldwide. Digital health offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient care, streamline medical processes, and expand access to services, particularly in remote and underserved areas. From telemedicine and wearable devices to AI-driven diagnostics and electronic health records, these innovations are revolutionizing healthcare delivery.
However, realizing the full potential of digital health requires concerted global efforts to address challenges such as fragmented initiatives, lack of interoperability, and equitable access. The GIDH aims to tackle these issues by promoting transparency, aligning investments with country-specific needs, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
The 2nd Global Convening marks a critical step in these ongoing efforts, reinforcing the WHO’s leadership in guiding the global digital health agenda towards a more connected, efficient, and equitable future for healthcare.
