The Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NUSOM), in partnership with the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, and with the support of the Wellcome Trust, convened a Regional Workshop on Global Health Reform for countries of the Central Asia and Middle East on October 22–23, 2025, in Amman, Jordan.
The event brought together more than 40 prominent experts and stakeholders from across the two regions, creating a platform for dialogue on how to reimagine and strengthen the global health architecture. The seminar was one of the five regional dialogues supported by the Wellcome Trust to discuss the specific needs of different regions and how changes to the global health system can be made possible.
Over two days of discussions and breakout sessions, participants representing government agencies, academia, international organizations, and civil society examined the current state of global health (“Stock Take”), envisioned a fairer and more adaptive system (“Rethink”), and identified practical pathways toward reform (“Reform Pathways”).
The conversations underscored the importance of coherent governance structures, sustainable financing, and stronger regional cooperation frameworks that respond to the unique contexts and challenges of Central Asia and the Middle East.
By the end of the workshop, participants had reached a shared understanding of key regional priorities for reform and produced a set of consensus-based recommendations to inform ongoing global health architecture discussions.
“This workshop truly demonstrated the power of regional collaboration in shaping the future of global health,” said Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, Executive Director of EMPHNET. “The recommendations developed here reflect our collective commitment to actionable, context-driven solutions that can influence change on a global scale.”
Professor Kuanysh Yergaliyev of Nazarbayev University’s School of Medicine added:
“The discussions showed that meaningful reform is only possible through joint efforts among governments, academia, and civil society working toward shared goals.”
Professor Maksut Kulzhanov, Head of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and Chair of the Republican Medical Chamber, also emphasized:
“The workshop held in Amman highlighted the importance of exchanging experience and best practices across the region to strengthen the quality and efficiency of national health systems.”
The seminar marked a significant milestone in advancing the participation of the Central Asia and Middle East in shaping the next generation of global health governance. By fostering shared priorities and regional ownership, the initiative contributes to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable global health system that amplifies the voices and realities of all regions.
Links:
Nazarbayev University School of Meipdicine
Wellcome Trust
EMPHNET
Middle East Council on Global Affairs
The event brought together more than 40 prominent experts and stakeholders from across the two regions, creating a platform for dialogue on how to reimagine and strengthen the global health architecture. The seminar was one of the five regional dialogues supported by the Wellcome Trust to discuss the specific needs of different regions and how changes to the global health system can be made possible.
Over two days of discussions and breakout sessions, participants representing government agencies, academia, international organizations, and civil society examined the current state of global health (“Stock Take”), envisioned a fairer and more adaptive system (“Rethink”), and identified practical pathways toward reform (“Reform Pathways”).
The conversations underscored the importance of coherent governance structures, sustainable financing, and stronger regional cooperation frameworks that respond to the unique contexts and challenges of Central Asia and the Middle East.
By the end of the workshop, participants had reached a shared understanding of key regional priorities for reform and produced a set of consensus-based recommendations to inform ongoing global health architecture discussions.
“This workshop truly demonstrated the power of regional collaboration in shaping the future of global health,” said Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, Executive Director of EMPHNET. “The recommendations developed here reflect our collective commitment to actionable, context-driven solutions that can influence change on a global scale.”
Professor Kuanysh Yergaliyev of Nazarbayev University’s School of Medicine added:
“The discussions showed that meaningful reform is only possible through joint efforts among governments, academia, and civil society working toward shared goals.”
Professor Maksut Kulzhanov, Head of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and Chair of the Republican Medical Chamber, also emphasized:
“The workshop held in Amman highlighted the importance of exchanging experience and best practices across the region to strengthen the quality and efficiency of national health systems.”
The seminar marked a significant milestone in advancing the participation of the Central Asia and Middle East in shaping the next generation of global health governance. By fostering shared priorities and regional ownership, the initiative contributes to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable global health system that amplifies the voices and realities of all regions.
Links:
Nazarbayev University School of Meipdicine
Wellcome Trust
EMPHNET
Middle East Council on Global Affairs
