The Seed Global Health team will be in New York from September 20-25 for the 81st UN General Assembly, joining global leaders at a pivotal moment for global health.

Throughout the week, we’ll champion resilient, country-led health systems built on skilled health workers, sustainable financing, and stronger partnerships aligned behind national priorities.

Seed will co-host and participate in high-level UN events, panel discussions, media interviews, and strategic meetings, sharing lessons from our work in Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia—and advancing practical solutions for a changing global health landscape.

Where to find us at UNGA81

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

1. Seed Global Health and Rockefeller Foundation – Health Resilience in the 21st Century: Delivering Outcomes Amid Shocks and Stressors 

Monday, September 21, 2026: private event, invite-only

A high-level convening co-hosted by Rockefeller Foundation and Seed Global Health, bringing together ministers, leaders and decision-makers to examine how health systems can be financed and structured to build health resilience, manage day to day challenges and hold during shocks. 

2. Yale University – Closing the Knowledge-Action Gap: Expanding Collaboration Between the UN System and Universities 

Monday, September 21, 2026: private event, invite-only

Our CEO, Dr. Vanessa Kerry will speak on a panel held jointly with Yale University, Cornell Atkinson Center, Harvard Salata Institute, and UN University on strengthening collaboration between the UN system and academic institutions. 

3. Deloitte – Health Resilience as a Business Imperative 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:00am -10:00am ET @ Deloitte HQ

Dr. Vanessa Kerry will join a discussion on how health challenges, including shocks from extreme heat and outbreaks, are reshaping workforce health and business performance. The panel will explore how business leaders, health organizations, and investors are building health resilience and practical tools to manage this exposure.

4. Seed Global Health and Amref Health Africa – Building Africa’s Climate Buffer: Financing Climate-Resilient Primary Health Care 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026: private event, invite-only

A roundtable jointly convened by Seed and Amref Health Africa, bringing together decision-makers from governments, development finance institutions, climate funds, and philanthropies to discuss financing climate-resilient primary health care.

5. Devex – A New Model for Financing Health? 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:00pm – 1:15pm ET – Devex Impact House and virtual

On the Devex Impact House‘s Impact Stage Dr. Vanessa Kerry and Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Health Uganda, will take part in a discussion on moving countries from fragmented, donor-driven health budgets to a model which aligns government, private, and philanthropic investment behind resilient, nationally-owned health systems.

6. Foreign Policy – From Global Commitments to Sustained Action and Improved Outcomes 

Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 11:10am – 11:30am ET – Rockefeller Center and virtual

Dr. Vanessa Kerry will join a discussion to explore how to mobilize sustainable financing, strengthen domestic health systems, accelerate innovation, and integrate health more fully into broader economic and security strategies – as part of the broader health resilience agenda.

Meet our delegation

If you would like to connect with a member of our team at UNGA81, please reach out on LinkedIn. 

This year’s Seed Global Health delegation looks different from previous years. Despite every effort, U.S. visa restrictions mean colleagues from Uganda, Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Malawi are unable to travel to New York. 

Their absence is a significant loss. The perspectives of those leading this work every day are essential to global conversations about the future of health systems. Throughout the week, we are committed to ensuring their expertise, experience, and priorities are reflected in every discussion and engagement. 

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Dr. Vanessa Kerry – CEO

Bassim Birkland – Senior Director of Clinical Practice and Education

Courtney Bridgeo – Director of Partnerships

Andrea Dickson – Chief Communications and Advocacy Officer

Tom Fairchild – Director of Advocacy and Media

Lauren McKown – Chief Partnerships Officer

Fauve Morse – Senior Manager, Global Content and Insight

Olivia Paulo – Executive Assistant to CEO & COO

Marionka Pohl – Senior Director of Policy

Leandra Rivera – Senior Manager, Global Strategic Initiatives

Vera Zlidar – Senior Director, Strategy and Impact