Plenary 3

Health sovereignty, global solidarity & the WHO

Organised by the European Health Forum Gastein

Health sovereignty is a contested term. While some governments use the term to emphasise national control, the European Commission frames it differently: as strengthening the capacity of Europe and partner countries to act autonomously while remaining committed to multilateral cooperation.

Recent crises—from COVID-19 to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions—have exposed the complex interdependence underpinning health sovereignty and solidarity. Health systems rely on transnational supply chains, knowledge networks, and strong multilateral institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which enable Member States to collaborate, negotiate, and respond to shared challenges. At the same time, growing geopolitical tensions and shifting political priorities have increased pressure on the WHO to demonstrate its effectiveness, strengthen governance, and maintain trust.

This plenary will explore how Europe can pursue strategic autonomy while fulfilling its responsibilities within a shared global health ecosystem. Speakers will discuss the evolving architecture of global health governance, and how multilateral institutions can support both meaningful health sovereignty and collective resilience in an increasingly fragmented yet interconnected world.