Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
At the WHS Opening Night 2025, WHS President Axel R. Pries and Rosebella Alungata Iseme-Ondiek, Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University, warmly welcomed a packed house of global health leaders and changemakers in Berlin.
During the event, Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), announced Germany’s financial commitment of 1 billion euros to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming Germany’s continued commitment to strengthening global health systems.
Minister Alabali Radovan emphasized: “Despite painful budget cuts and the enormous pressure to save within the ministry, we have succeeded in providing one billion euros for global health protection. This sends an important signal: Germany will continue to be actively engaged in protecting people around the world from disease."
Joining her on stage Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, highlighted: “The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to curb the spread of infectious diseases and further reinforce health and community systems in the most vulnerable countries. Germany’s latest contribution sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and sets a strong foundation as we move toward the final pledges at our Eighth Replenishment Summit.”
A particularly moving moment followed when youth advocate Priscilla Ama Addo from Ghana shared: “For young people like me, living with HIV isn’t just about surviving – it’s about being seen, heard, and supported.” She further emphasized: “When countries like Germany invest in the Global Fund, they’re investing in our dreams and reminding us that we matter."
Building on these powerful calls for equity and solidarity, Heyo Kroemer, CEO of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, then formally opened #WHS2025, setting the stage for three days of high-level dialogue and collaboration.
At the WHS Opening Night 2025, WHS President Axel R. Pries and Rosebella Alungata Iseme-Ondiek, Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University, warmly welcomed a packed house of global health leaders and changemakers in Berlin.
During the event, Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), announced Germany’s financial commitment of 1 billion euros to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming Germany’s continued commitment to strengthening global health systems.
Minister Alabali Radovan emphasized: “Despite painful budget cuts and the enormous pressure to save within the ministry, we have succeeded in providing one billion euros for global health protection. This sends an important signal: Germany will continue to be actively engaged in protecting people around the world from disease."
Joining her on stage Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, highlighted: “The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to curb the spread of infectious diseases and further reinforce health and community systems in the most vulnerable countries. Germany’s latest contribution sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and sets a strong foundation as we move toward the final pledges at our Eighth Replenishment Summit.”
A particularly moving moment followed when youth advocate Priscilla Ama Addo from Ghana shared: “For young people like me, living with HIV isn’t just about surviving – it’s about being seen, heard, and supported.” She further emphasized: “When countries like Germany invest in the Global Fund, they’re investing in our dreams and reminding us that we matter."
Building on these powerful calls for equity and solidarity, Heyo Kroemer, CEO of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, then formally opened #WHS2025, setting the stage for three days of high-level dialogue and collaboration.
