The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the region’s only dedicated public health institution and the primary health authority within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), participated in the World Health Summit (WHS) 2025 held in Berlin, Germany, from October 12 to 14, 2025.
This prominent international gathering focused on the theme, “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World,” and convened over 4,000 delegates on-site from 144 nations, alongside more than 40,000 virtual attendees. The event featured over 400 speakers, with gender representation equally balanced, said a CARPHA release.
Representing the Caribbean, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, was the sole speaker from the region. She offered insights into the unique public health challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean.
These nations are characterized by their small geographic sizes, highly interconnected networks, porous borders, fragile healthcare infrastructure, dependence on tourism, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change. Dr. Indar emphasized that the Caribbean’s specific circumstances necessitate tailored health strategies to prevent the swift spread of infectious diseases within the region and beyond.
Highlighting regional advancements, she reportedly discussed CARPHA’s efforts in developing innovative early warning and response systems, strengthening laboratory capabilities, workforce development, and fostering partnerships aimed at pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. These initiatives are supported by funding from the Pandemic Fund grant and are designed to provide effective, Caribbean-specific solutions. Dr. Indar also shared perspectives on critical issues such as mental health, climate change and health, the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the aging population.
Her participation extended to several high-profile sessions, including:
– The Global Health Lab session titled “What is Next for Global Health Emergencies? How to Sustain a Strong Global Health Emergency Architecture?”
– A high-level panel discussion on “From Fragmentation to Coherence: Partnering for Pandemic Resilience: Country Leadership at the Core of the Pandemic Fund’s Vision for a Safer World”
– Another Global Health Lab session focusing on “Turning Commitment to Action for Mental Health,” which explored the implementation of outcomes from the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health.
In addition to her speaking engagements, Dr. Indar participated in several side meetings with international collaborators, including a panel titled “From Forecasts to the Frontlines: Embedding Climate Services in Health Systems” and an event called “Who Pays to Keep the World Safe? – A Call to Empower Countries through Collaborative Surveillance.”
CARPHA stated that the World Health Summit served as an invaluable platform for the organization and its global health partners across various sectors and regions. It facilitated the strengthening of partnerships, exchange of experiences, and the identification of practical solutions to some of today’s most pressing public health challenges.
For further details on Dr. Indar’s sessions at the WHS, click here.
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