The Seed Global Health team will be attending WHA79 in Geneva from May 18-22, 2026 joining global leaders, governments and partners at a pivotal moment for global health.

Across the week, Seed will advocate for stronger health systems, investment in the health workforce and country-led reforms that improve care and save lives.

Seed colleagues will deliver speeches, participate in fireside conversations, speak on panels, and meet policymakers to share lessons from our work in Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia.

Our events at WHA79

Scroll through the events below and sign up to join us: virtually or in person.

1. PMNCH – Health Sovereignty, Financing Reform and Protecting What Matters Most: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health

Sunday, May 17, 2026, 6:00pm – 7:30pm CEST @ Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

Hosted by PMNCH in partnership with the Governments of South Africa, Somalia, Africa CDC, UNICEF, Seed Global Health, and other global health partners this session examines how evolving health sovereignty agendas and global health financing reforms must protect women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health and safeguard sexual and reproductive health and rights.

2. The G4Alliance – Strategic Leadership for Nurses and Midwives: A Policy Pathway to Stronger Health Systems

Monday, May 18, 2026, 8:45am – 11:30am CEST @ International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Co-hosted by the G4 Alliance and partners including ICN and ICM, this panel event focuses on strengthening nursing and midwifery leadership – highlighting how inclusive governance and investment to scale these leadership models can build resilient health systems and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speakers include our Chief Program and Innovation Officer, Martin Msukwa, alongside global nursing and midwifery leaders.

3. Foreign Policy – Global Health Forum 2026: Lessons from Uganda: From Global Health Reform to Real Results

Monday, May 18, 2025, 12:05pm – 12:55pm CEST @ InterContinental Geneva and virtual

Seed Global Health will take part in the first session of Foreign Policy’s Global Health Forum at the World Health Assembly, focusing on global health reform.

The fireside chat between our CEO, Dr. Vanessa Kerry, and Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng focuses on lessons from Uganda, highlighting how investment in midwifery is improving maternal, newborn, and child health and shaping the future of global health.

4. COP31 Presidencies – The Belem Health Action Plan: From COP30 to COP31

Monday, May 18, 2025, 1:00pm – 2:20pm CEST @ Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland and virtual

Hosted by the governments of Brazil, Türkiye, Australia, and the UAE this event focuses on progress in climate and health across recent COPs and sets out priorities for implementing the Belem Health Action Plan with endorsers and stakeholders.

Our CEO, Dr. Vanessa Kerry, will give short remarks alongside ministers, BHAP endorsers and stakeholders.

5. The Accra Reset – Geneva Clarion Call: Rethinking Power, Financing and Global Health Delivery

Monday, May 18, 2026, 3:30pm – 7:30pm@ The Global Health Campus and virtually

This high-level dialogue on global health architecture focuses on moving from vision to execution, including reform of global health systems, financing, and strengthening country-led health priorities. Hosted by The Accra Reset Secretariat, the Rockefeller Foundation, and The Global Fund, this convening will lay out what country-led delivery requires in practice at the national, regional and global levels.

The program features a Presidential Address by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana and remarks from our CEO, Dr. Vanessa Kerry. 

6. Implementing National Health Compacts: Early Progress and Next Steps for Partner Alignment

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 7:30am – 9:30am @ The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) HQ

Seed Global Health will co-host a roundtable with our partners, the Ministries of Health of Zambia and Uganda, focusing on implementing the World Bank National Health Compacts. We are bringing together Ministries of Health and global partners to review early progress and strengthen alignment on country-led priorities, financing, and accountability to agree next steps for coordinated compact implement.

Meet our delegation

Our Seed team will be in Geneva for WHA79 to share experience and knowledge, and connect with partners, media, and fellow advocates – if you would like to connect with a member of our team, please reach out on LinkedIn.

---

Dr. Vanessa Kerry – CEO

Courtney Bridgeo – Director of Partnerships

Tom Fairchild – Director of Advocacy and Media

Fauve Morse – Senior Manager, Global Content and Insight

Martin Msukwa – Chief Program and Innovation Officer

Marionka Pohl – Senior Director of Policy

Leandra Rivera – Senior Global Strategic Initiatives Officer

Chikusela Sikazwe – Country Director, Zambia