Taking responsibility for health in a fragmenting world
Canada will host the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June 2025, bringing together the heads of this alliance at a time of increasing geopolitical tension and internal division. Once regarded as a symbol of unity and leadership, the G7 – comprising seven leading industrial democratic states and the European Union – is now grappling with a changing geopolitical environment and growing scepticism
of global cooperation.
Even as the G8 including Russia in earlier years, G7 leaders were basically aligned in facing global challenges over many years. This was rooted in shared views on globalisation, free trade, democratic systems, and the very foundations of post-World War II global cooperation. However, this year’s meeting is expected to be marked by discord within the group and by increasing challenges to their collective leadership. At the same time, the world faces urgent and interconnected crises, demanding stronger cooperation, not less. The ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan are nowhere near peace agreements. Climate change and its related crises are steadily intensifying. All this with imminent threats for health and prosperity. With only five and a half years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bold commitments are urgently needed. Yet, nationalism and short-term political agendas continue to stifle coordinated action.
Reshaping the Architecture of Development Partnership
In this situation, the 2025 G7 Summit could prove decisive for the future of global development aid and health. Notably, it precedes the United Nations’ 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, scheduled for June 30 to July 3 in Seville, Spain. Together, these events offer a unique opportunity to rethink and restructure the global architecture for international cooperation.
G7 nations account for just 10% of the world’s population but hold nearly half of its wealth. They currently also contribute about 75% of official development assistance (ODA). However, these shares are steadily declining, reflecting global trends that require a redefinition of international solidarity. The weaknesses of the existing approach were highlighted by the recent cessation of US foreign aid:
A support system which is overly reliant on a single donor is not sustainable and reliable. A future constellation needs to be supported by many actors in a multipolar world.
The traditional interaction is based on a donor-recipient paradigm where the aid comes from industrialised states of the Global North. Such polarised interaction perpetuates both the dominance of donor nations and the passivity of recipients – this should be replaced by a partnership approach.
Humanitarian motives for ODA are applaudable – but a sustainable approach requires the inclusion of additional acceptable interests. Thus, a new international development system should be based on the transparent communication of mutual interests including economic ones.
Consequently, a more equitable model – similar to NATO burden-sharing – needs to be developed, with a wider array of countries contributing fixed shares of support. On the other hand, the principle of country ownership needs to be strengthened: low- and middle-income countries must be prepared to allocate at least 15% of their GDP to health and development, which requires new taxation frameworks and debt relief.
Europe’s Role in a Fragmenting World
The World Health Summit (WHS) 2025 from October 12 to 14 in Berlin will convene under the leitmotif: “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World.” This theme corresponds to the urgent need for leadership and concerted action, while the call for responsibility addresses each and every stakeholder in the health sector, from traditional donor states to emerging countries, from medical specialists to finance, and industrial experts.
Based on its economic and innovative potential, as well as on its multinational composition, Europe and the European Union could foster the establishment of a new architecture for development partnership, address the generated vacuum, and strengthen its role in global health and development. During the 2024 WHO investment round at the World Health Summit last October, the European Union and its member states signaled their readiness to take on greater responsibility. Stable, long-term funding for global health – including institutions like the WHO – is now imperative. At the same time, these investments also support domestic populations. Health security is no longer just a humanitarian issue – it is a strategic and economic necessity.
Health as the Cornerstone of Economic Prosperity
Global health financing offers significant returns. It stimulates further investments, creates new markets, and supports the export of domestically produced health technologies and services. Rather than falling into nationalist rhetoric, we should reframe the discussion: global health is not just a moral imperative, instead it is a matter of transparent, mutual economic benefits.
Health is the foundation of every economy. A healthy population forms the basis for workforce productivity, social stability, and long-term growth. In fact, the health economy is one of the largest commercial sectors in nearly every G7 nation. Leaders must recognise that investing in health is not charity, it is smart policy.
The pandemic preparedness accord is a case in point: international cooperation can produce concrete benefits for health systems worldwide and protect our societies and economies from the devastating social and economic effects of a next pandemic. Global cooperation, especially in health and development, is not an option – it is the only viable path forward.
