The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the leading public health authority within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), played a pivotal role at the World Health Summit (WHS) 2025, held in Berlin, Germany, from October 12 to 14, 2025. The summit, themed ‘Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World,’ attracted over 4,000 on-site delegates from 144 countries and more than 40,000 virtual participants. With over 400 speakers, the event boasted balanced gender representation, according to a CARPHA statement. Representing the Caribbean, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, was the sole regional speaker, shedding light on the distinct public health challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean. Dr. Indar emphasized the region’s vulnerabilities, including small geographic sizes, interconnected networks, porous borders, fragile healthcare systems, reliance on tourism, and susceptibility to natural disasters and climate change. She underscored the necessity for tailored health strategies to mitigate the rapid spread of infectious diseases both within and beyond the region. Dr. Indar highlighted CARPHA’s initiatives, such as developing early warning systems, enhancing laboratory capabilities, workforce training, and fostering partnerships for pandemic prevention and response, supported by the Pandemic Fund grant. She also addressed critical issues like mental health, climate change, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the aging population. Her participation extended to high-profile sessions, including discussions on global health emergencies, pandemic resilience, and mental health action. Additionally, Dr. Indar engaged in side meetings with international collaborators, focusing on integrating climate services into health systems and collaborative surveillance. CARPHA lauded the summit as a crucial platform for strengthening global health partnerships and addressing pressing public health challenges.
CARPHA rep highlights Caribbean variables to global audience at World Health Summit
