The 2026 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (13–19 April) offer a critical window to reposition science at the heart of global discussions on debt, growth, and development finance. Against a backdrop of constrained fiscal space and compounding global crises, science and innovation have emerged as essential drivers of productivity, resilience, and long-term economic stability. However, they are frequently sidelined as sectoral concerns rather than being integrated as core elements of macroeconomic strategy.
As part of the prestigious Science Summit series, the Global Health Connector is proud to participate in the 2026 World Bank Spring Meetings (13-19 April, Washington, D.C.), and co-organize this high-level side event, "Science as a Driver of Global Development". alongside the Science For All Foundation, UN SDSN, ISC Intelligence, and AERAP.
During the event, we will host a special session: One Health and Development Policy: Aligning Finance, Evidence, and Systems Transformation (13h30-15h30), focusing on the "macro-critical" impact of AI in healthcare, and its power to expand access and improve outcomes in resource-constrained settings. The panel will examine the strategic investments needed to harness AI for more equitable and responsive global health systems.
One Health and Development Policy: Aligning Finance, Evidence, and Systems Transformation (13h30-15h30)
Brian O’Connor
Chairman, Global Health Connector
Dr. Kyu Rhee
CEO, National Association of Community Health Centres
Maria Ghazal
President & CEO, Healthcare Leadership Council
Prof. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade,
Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor and Associate Dean for Global Health, University of Chicago
Alexis Joiner
Systems Analysis and Research, Global Security, Senior Technical Staff. Sandia National Laboratories
Julie Makani
Science Advisor, East Central and Southern Africa Health Community
Himaja Nagireddy
Program Manager, Kennedy Krieger Institute, an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Carla Cartwright
VP Global Digital & Regulatory Policy, J&J and Vice-Chair of IFPMA RDI Committee
Bettina Hamelin
CEO, Innovative Medicines Canada
Larry Kerr
Vice President, Global Health and Multilateral Affairs, PhRMA
Kamal Jethwani
Vice President - Digital Ventures, Moffitt Cancer Center
Dr. Roopa Dhatt
Assistant Professor, Stanford University
Hon. Amira Saber
UNITE Global Board Member and Chapter Chair for the Middle East and North Africa
Symerre Grey-Johnson
Director of Social Development, PIFAH and AUDA-NEPAD RCE for Local Production of Priority Medical Products in Africa (STI)
