This symposium does not aim to cover the full spectrum of global health, but rather to spotlight the critical importance of research and development — particularly in areas such as vaccination, diagnostics, and health technologies. It will explore how these tools can empower policymakers to make informed, evidence-driven decisions that benefit populations worldwide.

Special attention will be given to the needs of low- and middle-income countries, which often bear the brunt of global health crises but remain under-resourced in terms of research capacity and access to innovation. The discussions will also connect to ongoing global processes, including the Pandemic Agreement (who.int) and the Lusaka Agenda (futereofghis.org), emphasising the need for integrated health systems and equitable access to life-saving interventions.

By bringing together researchers, policymakers, and global health practitioners, the symposium seeks to foster dialogue on how to strengthen support for science and innovation as a cornerstone of resilient and equitable health systems.

As part of the symposium, an authorized Norwegian biography of Dr. Tore Godal will be launched, hosted by its publisher.

Start: 12:30 

  • Welcome by Chair Dr. Cathrine M. Lofthus
    Director General of Health and Chief Medical
    Officer, Norwegian Directorate of Health

  • Opening remarks: Jonas Gahr Støre,
    Prime Minister of Norway

  • Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, 
    Director General WHO (video)

  • Professor Dean Jamison,
    University of California, San Francisco

  • Professor Peter Kim,
    Stanford University

  • Professor Jan Terje Andersen, Oslo University

  • Jan Christian Vestre,
    Minister of Health and Care Services,
    Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services

  • Sania Nishtar,
    CEO of Gavi (message delivered by Björn Gillström, Gavi)

  • Dr. Richard Hatchett,
    CEO, CEPI

  • Joy Phumaphi,
    Former Minister of Health, Botswana (video)

  • Dr. Jerome Kim,
    Director General of the International Vaccine Institute, Seoul

  • Dr. Chris Elias,
    President, Bill Gates Foundation (video)

  • Åsmund Grøver Aukrust,
    Minister of International Development,
    Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • Summary by Chair Dr. Cathrine M. Lofthus
    Director General of Health and Chief Medical
    Officer, Norwegian Directorate of Health

  • Technical break until 15:30

 

  • 15:30 The book and the life it portrays (video)

  • Welcome by moderator Astrid Versto

  • Musical performance by Odd and Aasmund Nordstoga

  • Panel discussion: Is an era of global health coming to an end?
  • Participants:
    • Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland,
      The Elders, former Director-General WHO and Prime Minister of Norway
    • Tore Lærdal,
      Executive chairman of Laerdal Medical
    • Dr. Camilla Stoltenberg,
      CEO NORCE  Norwegian Research Centre, former Director-General of the Norwegain Institute of Publc Health
    • Ole Dahlberg,
      Chairman of Curida AS and Nadeno
      Nanoscience, former Vice President for Cell Biology, Vaccines
      and Cell & Gene Therapy at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
    • Dagfinn Høybråthen,
      Long-time chairman/board member
      and ambassador for Gavi, former Minister of Health, Norway

  • Reflections; a conversation with author Aashild Sørheim and Dr. Tore Godal

  • Musical performance by Odd and Aasmund Nordstoga

  • Concluding remarks, Astrid Versto

Nett-tv The Symposium

Se sendingen her

Se sendingen her

The symposium was recorded by the Norwegian Central Government ICT Organisation (DIO) and could be watched live from this site. The recording can also be downloaded from this site. Media outlets that would like to embed the webcast can find the embed code by clicking the 'Del' (i.e. 'share video') button in the video player. If you have any questions, DIO can be reached by telephone at +47 22 24 88 45 or by email at dio-videoproduksjon@dio.dep.no.