Explorez notre vaste vidéothèque de la
11th World Heart Summit and 79th World Health Assembly
held in Geneva from 16-17 May, featuring key insights and discussions on global heart health initiatives.
Continue the journey with exclusive footage from the WHA79 Side Events, held from 18-19 May, capturing dynamic debates and collaborations aimed at shaping the future of public health policy.
Ces vidéos constituent une ressource essentielle pour comprendre les dernières tendances et stratégies en matière de santé cardiaque et de développement de la politique de santé internationale.
Saturday
08:45-09:00
Opening of World Heart Summit 2026
The 11th World Heart Summit opened with a powerful call to transform political commitments into measurable action for cardiovascular health. In this keynote address, World Heart Federation President Prof. Jagat Narula reflected on the outcomes of the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and challenged global leaders to move beyond declarations towards implementation. Highlighting that cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, responsible for more than 20 million deaths annually, Prof. Narula outlined key priorities for the years ahead: accelerating hypertension control, addressing the commercial determinants of health, integrating cardiovascular health into climate and environmental policies, strengthening financing for prevention and care, and developing dedicated national cardiovascular strategies. The session emphasized that the evidence, solutions, and tools already exist. The challenge now is ensuring political will, accountability, and sustained investment to translate commitments into lives saved. Setting the tone for the Summit, this opening address called on governments, healthcare leaders, advocates, and partners to work together to achieve cardiovascular health for all, everywhere.
09:00-10:00
2025 moved the needle: what comes next? Discussion on UHC, National Action Plans, and the momentum for cardiovascular health
Following the momentum generated by the 2025 UN Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the launch of the European Union’s Safe Hearts Plan, this high-level panel explored how countries can translate political commitments into tangible improvements in cardiovascular health. Bringing together leaders from the Caribbean, Kenya, Europe, China, and Sweden, the discussion examined the opportunities and challenges of advancing universal health coverage, developing national cardiovascular health plans, strengthening prevention strategies, and improving access to care. Speakers highlighted the importance of primary healthcare, tobacco and nicotine regulation, sustainable financing, health taxes, citizen engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to address the growing burden of cardiovascular disease. The session emphasized that while global declarations provide an important framework, meaningful progress depends on implementation at the national and local levels. Panelists shared practical experiences from diverse regions, demonstrating how strong leadership, accountability, prevention-focused policies, and community engagement can transform cardiovascular health outcomes. The discussion concluded with a call to maintain urgency, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that the political momentum of 2025 translates into lasting change for patients and communities worldwide.
10:00-10:45
Launch of World Heart Report 2026 on congenital heart disease – latest findings
At the World Heart Summit 2026, the World Heart Federation officially launched the World Heart Report 2026, shining a spotlight on congenital heart disease (CHD) – the most common birth defect worldwide and a major yet often overlooked contributor to global cardiovascular disease. Drawing on the latest global evidence and lived experiences from patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates across nine countries, the report reveals the profound inequalities that shape outcomes for people born with congenital heart disease. While survival rates have improved dramatically in many high-income countries, millions of children and adults in low- and middle-income countries continue to face delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialist care, workforce shortages, and catastrophic financial burdens. The session explored the report’s key findings, including the growing number of people living with congenital heart disease worldwide, the urgent need for stronger health systems, and the importance of ensuring continuity of care throughout the life course. Speakers highlighted six priority actions, including expanding national capacity, strengthening the specialist workforce, improving data collection, integrating congenital heart disease into policy frameworks, elevating lived experience, and supporting a future World Health Assembly resolution on childhood-onset heart disease. Combining scientific evidence with powerful personal stories, the World Heart Report 2026 calls on governments, healthcare leaders, and global health partners to guarantee every child, adolescent, and adult living with congenital heart disease the right to heart health, regardless of where they are born.
11:15-12:00
Panel: Public trust, AI and the future of digital health
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming cardiovascular care, offering new opportunities for earlier diagnosis, more personalized treatment, improved risk prediction, and expanded access to health services. Yet alongside these advances come critical questions about trust, governance, equity, accountability, and patient safety. This World Heart Summit 2026 panel brought together clinicians, researchers, innovators, journalists, and digital health experts to examine how artificial intelligence can be integrated responsibly into healthcare systems while maintaining public confidence. The discussion explored the growing role of AI in disease detection, cardiovascular prevention, medical imaging, clinical decision support, and population health management, highlighting both its potential and its limitations. Speakers emphasized that the greatest challenge is no longer developing AI technologies, but ensuring they are implemented safely, ethically, and equitably. Key themes included the importance of regulatory oversight, transparency, validation across diverse populations, protection against bias and misinformation, workforce integration, and the need for clinicians to remain central to decision-making processes. The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, researchers, technology companies, patient communities, and international organizations to ensure that digital innovation serves all populations. As AI continues to evolve, building trust, safeguarding equity, and strengthening governance will be essential to realizing its full potential for cardiovascular health.
13:45-14:30
Panel: Nutrition, food systems, and healthy futures
Food systems are increasingly recognized as one of the most powerful determinants of cardiovascular health. As rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease continue to rise worldwide, policymakers, health leaders, researchers, and advocates are confronting a critical question: how can food systems be transformed to support healthier lives and healthier futures? This World Heart Summit 2026 panel explored the intersection of nutrition policy, food environments, public health, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Speakers examined the growing influence of ultra-processed foods, excess salt and sugar consumption, food affordability, and inequitable access to healthy diets, while also discussing emerging treatments such as GLP-1 medications and their role within broader prevention strategies. The discussion highlighted the need to move beyond individual responsibility and focus on the systems that shape dietary choices. Panelists shared evidence from successful policy interventions, including front-of-pack warning labels, trans-fat elimination, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, sodium reduction initiatives, and school-based nutrition programmes. They also emphasized the importance of addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence food choices, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Throughout the session, speakers stressed that meaningful progress requires coordinated action across sectors, bringing together health, agriculture, education, finance, industry, and civil society. The future of cardiovascular health depends not only on treating disease, but on creating food systems that make healthy choices accessible, affordable, and achievable for everyone.
14:30-15:20
Panel: cities leading for healthy living
As urban populations continue to grow, cities have become one of the most important arenas for preventing cardiovascular disease and improving public health. From air quality and transport systems to green spaces, housing, food access, and community engagement, local governments have a unique opportunity to shape the environments that influence health every day. This World Heart Summit 2026 panel explored how city leaders, public health experts, healthcare professionals, and community organizations can work together to create healthier urban environments that reduce cardiovascular risk and improve health equity. Drawing on examples from cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, speakers highlighted successful initiatives that have improved air quality, expanded active transport, strengthened cardiovascular prevention programmes, and reduced barriers to healthy living. The discussion emphasized that many of the factors driving cardiovascular disease originate outside the healthcare system. Air pollution, extreme heat, physical inactivity, unhealthy food environments, and social inequalities all contribute to cardiovascular risk and require coordinated action across sectors. Panelists showcased innovative city-led approaches that integrate health considerations into urban planning, transport policies, climate action, and community development. Throughout the session, speakers stressed the importance of local leadership, cross-sector collaboration, citizen engagement, and evidence-based policymaking. By combining prevention, health system strengthening, and healthier urban design, cities can play a transformative role in reducing cardiovascular disease while creating more sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities for future generations.
15:45-16:45
Panel: LMICs and the global health architecture: challenges and opportunities as aid declines
As international development assistance faces unprecedented reductions, low- and middle-income countries are confronting difficult questions about the future of health financing, health system resilience, and equitable access to care. This World Heart Summit 2026 panel examined how the evolving global health architecture is reshaping priorities for cardiovascular health and other noncommunicable diseases. Bringing together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience, the discussion explored the consequences of declining external aid, shifting donor priorities, and increasing pressure on domestic health budgets. Speakers highlighted the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems must simultaneously address infectious diseases, neglected cardiovascular conditions such as rheumatic and congenital heart disease, and the rising prevalence of hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. The panel emphasized that while funding reductions pose significant challenges, they also create opportunities to rethink health financing models, strengthen domestic resource mobilization, integrate services, and build more sustainable health systems. Examples from Africa, Asia, and Latin America demonstrated how health taxes, integrated care models, workforce development, and stronger government leadership can improve long-term health outcomes while reducing dependence on external funding. Throughout the session, participants stressed the importance of maintaining global solidarity, amplifying patient voices, investing in prevention and early detection, and ensuring that cardiovascular disease remains a priority within national and global health agendas. The discussion concluded with a call for stronger advocacy, greater accountability, and renewed commitment to equitable health systems that leave no patient behind.
16:45-17:15
Roundtable: next generation and action
Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow—they are already driving change today. In this dynamic World Heart Summit 2026 roundtable, youth advocates, medical students, public health leaders, patient representatives, and nutrition campaigners explored the challenges facing younger generations and the actions needed to create a healthier future. The discussion highlighted how young people are navigating a world shaped by climate change, misinformation, mental health challenges, unhealthy food environments, social inequalities, economic uncertainty, and rising rates of noncommunicable diseases. Speakers emphasized that many health risks have become normalized, making healthy choices increasingly difficult despite growing awareness of their importance. Panelists called for a shift from viewing young people solely as beneficiaries of health policies to recognizing them as partners in designing and implementing solutions. The conversation explored the importance of youth engagement in policymaking, climate and health advocacy, nutrition and food systems reform, mental health promotion, patient-centred care, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Throughout the session, speakers stressed that meaningful progress requires intergenerational collaboration. Young people bring new perspectives, creativity, urgency, and trusted peer-to-peer communication that can strengthen health campaigns and improve public engagement. The roundtable concluded with a clear message: if societies want healthier futures, youth must have a seat at the table today—not as observers, but as active contributors to decision-making and action.
Sunday
9:10-9:40
Innovator Spotlight- Interview with health leader(s) on new approaches to prevention and treatment
Innovation is transforming the future of cardiovascular health. From artificial intelligence and digital health platforms to personalized patient engagement and simplified treatment strategies, new technologies are creating opportunities to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care at an unprecedented scale. In this World Heart Summit 2026 Innovator Spotlight session, leading experts from academia, technology, and clinical research explored how emerging innovations can make cardiovascular care more accessible, effective, and patient-centred. The discussion highlighted advances in AI-driven healthcare, telemedicine, digital patient support programmes, and scalable interventions designed to improve outcomes while reducing barriers to care. Speakers shared examples of innovative solutions already delivering measurable impact. These included AI systems capable of analysing complex biological data to accelerate discovery and personalized treatment, mobile health programmes that use tailored text messages to support patients after cardiovascular events, and simplified treatment approaches such as fixed-dose combination therapies that can improve adherence and reduce cardiovascular risk at population level. A recurring theme throughout the session was the importance of translating innovation into real-world practice. Participants emphasized that scientific breakthroughs alone are not enough; successful innovation requires implementation, affordability, accessibility, patient involvement, and adaptation to local contexts. The panel also explored how healthcare systems can bridge the gap between research and service delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The discussion concluded with a call for innovation that is not only technologically advanced but also equitable, scalable, and designed with patients at its centre. By combining scientific progress with community engagement and practical implementation, new approaches to prevention and treatment have the potential to improve cardiovascular health for millions of people worldwide.
09:40-10:40
Ministerial panel: Controlling hypertension at scale
Hypertension remains one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease worldwide, yet millions of people remain undiagnosed, untreated, or unable to achieve adequate blood pressure control. As countries work toward the global target of bringing 150 million more people under effective blood pressure control by 2030, innovative and scalable solutions are urgently needed. This high-level ministerial panel at the World Heart Summit 2026 brought together health leaders from Egypt, Kenya, and Thailand to share practical experiences in implementing national hypertension control programmes. The discussion explored how countries are strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding screening initiatives, improving access to affordable medicines, leveraging digital health technologies, and empowering communities to support long-term care. Panelists highlighted successful national approaches, including Egypt’s large-scale screening and integrated primary care programmes, Kenya’s digital health transformation and electronic health records systems, and Thailand’s community-based prevention efforts focused on salt reduction and patient engagement. The conversation also examined the importance of sustainable financing, universal health coverage, local pharmaceutical production, workforce development, and innovative approaches to treatment adherence. Throughout the session, speakers emphasized that controlling hypertension at scale requires more than clinical interventions alone. Effective prevention, early detection, patient empowerment, community engagement, and strong political commitment are all essential to reducing cardiovascular disease and achieving global health targets. The session concluded with a shared message: countries already have many of the tools needed to improve blood pressure control. The challenge now is to expand proven solutions, strengthen health systems, and ensure that every person has access to timely diagnosis, affordable treatment, and lifelong care.
11:00-11:30
Panel: Shifting behaviour at population scale
Improving cardiovascular health at population scale requires more than encouraging individuals to make healthier choices. It demands environments, policies, and systems that make healthy living easier, more affordable, and more accessible for everyone. In this World Heart Summit 2026 panel, experts in public health, health policy, health systems, and clinical care explored how governments and societies can influence behaviour through a combination of regulation, taxation, education, and environmental change. The discussion examined the effectiveness of measures such as tobacco taxes, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, healthy food procurement policies, product reformulation, and behavioural nudges that encourage healthier decisions. Speakers highlighted the growing influence of the commercial determinants of health and the challenges posed by powerful industries whose interests may conflict with public health goals. While evidence clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of prevention policies, panelists noted that implementation often faces political, economic, and regulatory barriers. The discussion emphasized the need for stronger leadership, more courageous policymaking, and a greater focus on prevention as a long-term investment rather than a short-term cost. The session also explored the importance of creating healthy environments across the life course—from schools and workplaces to healthcare settings and communities. Participants agreed that lasting change requires integrated strategies that combine public education, supportive environments, regulatory measures, and fiscal policies. Ultimately, shifting behaviour at scale is not about individual responsibility alone, but about creating the conditions that enable healthier choices and better cardiovascular outcomes for entire populations.
11:30-12:00
Panel: Making lipid control a global health priority
Despite decades of evidence demonstrating the role of elevated cholesterol in cardiovascular disease, lipid control remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated risk factors worldwide. Millions of people at high risk of heart attack and stroke remain unaware of their cholesterol levels, while access to screening, treatment, and long-term management continues to vary dramatically across countries and healthcare systems. This World Heart Summit 2026 panel brought together leaders from the World Health Organization, academia, industry, and patient advocacy to explore how lipid management can become a central pillar of global cardiovascular disease prevention. The discussion examined recent developments, including the European Union Safe Hearts Plan, emerging cholesterol management guidelines, advances in screening and risk assessment, and the growing recognition of lipoprotein(a) and familial hypercholesterolaemia as important contributors to cardiovascular risk. Speakers highlighted the urgent need to move beyond awareness and toward implementation. Key priorities included expanding access to screening, strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving access to lipid-lowering therapies, integrating lipid management into national cardiovascular strategies, and addressing persistent treatment gaps in low- and middle-income countries. The panel also emphasized the importance of tackling misinformation about cholesterol treatment and supporting long-term patient adherence through education, community engagement, and peer support. The session concluded with a clear message: cardiovascular disease prevention cannot succeed without effective lipid control. Early identification, evidence-based treatment, patient-centred care, and stronger national policies have the potential to prevent millions of avoidable heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
12:00-12:45
Closing Plenary – Turning Political Commitments on NCDs into Measurable Action (joint session with NCDA)
The adoption of the 2025 UN Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases marked an important milestone in the global response to NCDs, introducing ambitious targets for reducing tobacco use, improving hypertension control, and expanding access to mental health services. Yet achieving these goals will depend not on declarations alone, but on implementation, accountability, and sustained political commitment. This closing plenary of the World Heart Summit 2026, jointly hosted by the World Heart Federation and the NCD Alliance, brought together global health leaders, patient advocates, policymakers, and civil society representatives to explore how international commitments can be translated into measurable improvements in health outcomes. The discussion focused on the practical steps needed to accelerate progress, including strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding prevention programmes, improving data collection and monitoring, increasing access to essential medicines, and ensuring meaningful patient engagement in policy development. Speakers highlighted the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries facing multiple health challenges simultaneously. The panel examined the importance of national ownership, sustainable financing, health taxes, universal health coverage, and integrated health systems capable of addressing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. Throughout the conversation, participants stressed that accountability must extend beyond governments to include healthcare professionals, civil society, patients, industry, and international organizations. The session concluded with a powerful call to action: the world already knows what works. The challenge now is ensuring that proven interventions are implemented at scale, that patient voices remain central to decision-making, and that commitments made on the global stage translate into healthier lives in communities around the world.
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