Global Health in Focus: An Interview with Dr. Bärbel Kofler

Why is global health important for the new leadership of your Ministry?

Health is a fundamental human right, yet half of the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services. In sub-Saharan Africa, four out of five people face inadequate health systems. These challenges have a direct impact on people’s health, on economic stability in our partner countries and on global health security – health challenges do not stop at national borders. My Ministry is dedicated to strengthening health systems and ensuring that everyone, especially in low-income countries, has access to health services. Our commitment is an investment in the future, particularly in the younger generation in our partner countries, and is in our own interest.

What are your priorities in the field of global health?

Let me highlight three key priorities in the field of global health:

1. In the least developed countries, 8 out of 10 people die from preventable, communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases and measles. One of my Ministry’s priorities is to remain a reliable partner in the global fight against infectious diseases, including neglected tropical diseases, and to strengthen health systems in order to achieve universal health coverage.
2. By focusing on enhanced pandemic preparedness and promoting vaccine and pharmaceutical production, we are underscoring the valuable lessons Germany has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the significant risk of a new pandemic in the coming decades, we are working closely with our partners to prevent the spread of dangerous infectious diseases.
3. The BMZ places a strong emphasis on realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly for women and girls. This is all the more important in light of the deeply concerning global pushback against gender equality and bodily autonomy. We work in partnership with other governments, civil society, the private sector and foundations to promote access to family planning, maternal health services and comprehensive sexuality education, and advocate for these rights.

In a time of shifting global power dynamics and competing priorities, how can Germany help keep global health high on the international agenda and ensure that health and development remain adequately and reliably funded?

Germany is one of the biggest financial contributors to global health and a political forerunner in this area. The withdrawal and funding cuts by major players in global health have had severe consequences worldwide. But they are also an opportunity to make long-needed reforms to the global health ecosystem. In these challenging times, we can leverage our leadership role by actively engaging in these reforms, pursuing a fit-for-purpose global health architecture that improves our preparedness for future health crises – both in our partner countries and in Germany. We have to improve efficiency and avoid duplications. Another key aspect is fostering ownership and sustainability within the health systems of our partner countries. It is important to enable them to finance essential health services through domestic resources. We want to promote an overall shift in mindset, in the recognition that investing in health yields tangible economic benefits, offers a high return on investment for each country, and forms the foundation of global health security, which is in all of our interests.

In light of the ongoing reform of the global health ecosystem, how is the BMZ engaging with African initiatives or partners and how are their perspectives and priorities reflected in this process?

Several consultations on the broader reform of the global health ecosystem are currently taking place. We are actively involved in many processes such as the EU reflection process and the Wellcome Dialogues. I believe that it is important to integrate the views of partners, including civil society, from all regions. We are witnessing many innovative initiatives emerging from different regions and different groups of actors, such as HEAR CSO¹ and the Presidential Accra Reset initiative².

With COP30 behind us, how can development cooperation help ensure that health becomes an integral part of climate frameworks and action plans?

Climate change is dismantling decades of progress in global health, for example through the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, rising heat-related health risks, and the destruction of healthcare facilities by extreme weather. Health has been part of climate frameworks since the UNFCCC Convention (Article 4.1.f), which calls for minimizing adverse effects on public health. Collaborations between climate and health financing institutions like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Fund (GFATM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are crucial to move this agenda from frameworks to action. Development cooperation plays a key role in promoting joint financing, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, and supporting climate-resilient health systems in partner countries.

The Global Health Hub Germany brings together more than 2,000 actors across sectors. Which aspects of the Hub’s work are most relevant for the BMZ and its efforts to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration?

The Global Health Hub Germany (GHHG) holds a unique position in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including civil society, academia and the private sector. This multi-stakeholder approach perfectly aligns with my Ministry’s commitment to inclusive and coordinated global health efforts. We highly value the GHHG’s regular briefings and events – for many stakeholders in the global health community, the Global Health Talk has become one of the most significant German global health events of the year.

What do you hope to achieve in global health by 2029?

By 2029, I envision the international community making significant strides in global health, fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I hope that our partner countries will have substantially increased domestic investments in health, leading to a dramatic improvement in universal health coverage. Furthermore, I aspire to see local vaccine and pharmaceutical production on the African continent strengthened, pandemic preparedness enhanced, the health and rights of women and girls prioritized, and the reforms of the global health architecture result in a more robust and resilient health system worldwide.

And finally, a more personal question: Throughout your career, you have been a strong advocate for fair working conditions, women’s rights, and sustainability. What motivates you personally to advance these issues in the context of global health and development?

My commitment to fair working conditions, gender equality and sustainability stems from a deep belief in social justice and the inherent dignity of every individual. In the context of global health, these principles guide my efforts to create inclusive systems that leave no one behind, ensuring that health and well-being are accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

¹https://hearcso.org/

²https://presidency.gov.gh/president-mahama-global-leaders-launch-the-accra-reset-at-unga-2025/