Global Health in Focus: An Interview with Dr. Georg Kippels

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

Germany is a strong advocate for global health and a long-standing supporter of multilateralism in general and the WHO in particular. I would like to emphasise that this commitment remains just as solid under the new government as it has been before. For our Federal Minister of Health, Ms. Nina Warken, it is a core area of work. For the ministry, investing into global health is crucial to maintaining international solidarity and security.

The importance of our commitment was highlighted when Minister Warken travelled to Geneva for the World Health Assembly just twelve days after her inauguration in May 2025 in order to adopt the Pandemic Agreement and to show the continuous support for WHO by announcing an additional ten-million-euro financial support to the organization in these critical times. The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement has been an important milestone. With this agreement, we have a strategic instrument for strengthening international health cooperation, which will help us to manage future health crises more effectively by strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

What are your priorities in the field of global health? 

Global health is vital to improve security, resilience and prosperity worldwide. It is one of our most important priorities to safeguard and to promote public health, both within our own borders and as part of our international engagement. Therefore, we aim to strengthen sustainable health care systems worldwide and facilitate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) without discrimination. Furthermore, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in particular are a strong focus of our ministry. This is why we are pleased that this year’s UN High-Level Meeting in September will be on NCDs. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) remains another key concern for us, therefore we engage more intensively with international efforts to reduce AMR and expand research into antibiotics. But overall, we have to keep in mind that all these global health challenges can only be solved collectively.

How do you see Germanys role in international health policy especially now in times of shifting political powers and priorities? 

First of all, we have to recognise that global health is under immense pressure. The withdrawal of the United States from its long-standing commitment in global health has placed Germany in a new position. While we take this responsibility very seriously, it is obvious that Germany cannot tackle complex global health challenges alone. We are committed to continue working with key partners in order to find sustainable solutions for the current health challenges. By promoting dialogue, cooperation and exchange on global health issues and involving non-state actors we will further strengthen Germany as a hub for global health.

Global Health financing is a major challenge at the moment: How can international financing for global health be secured in a sustainable and long-term way?

We all know that the global health architecture must be reformed since we are facing an unprecedented financing crisis. Declining budgets are creating a new reality. We have already shown strong political leadership in the field of global health in the last decade and have been one of the largest donors and supporters. We strive to continue this commitment.

We definitely need a more sustainable global health architecture. Therefore, we support the UN reform in general and particularly the World Health Organization (WHO) in its reform process in order to prioritize vital core functions and build a more efficient global health landscape. Germany supports the WHO in becoming more sustainable, responding to the needs of the international community, health systems and individuals alike. In response to the financing crisis, WHO has already advanced a reform process to contain costs and re-focus on it core mandate and functions.

The Global Health Hub Germany is a convener, bringing together over 2,000 actors from different stakeholder groups. The Ministry of Health has supported the Hub from the beginning. Which aspects of the Hubs work are particularly relevant for your Ministry? 

In our perspective, the Global Health Hub Germany offers a very important overarching networking platform that brings together renowned global health experts from various stakeholder groups in order to combine knowledge, expertise and ideas. It serves as an essential bridge between civil society and the political environment. The valuable expertise of the Global Health Hub Germany informs political decision-making. I am grateful that the Hub gives advice for national and international processes in the area of global health by organising surveys and producing policy documents, acting as an impact catalyst and strengthening or initiating global health debates in Germany and beyond. Getting to know different perspectives and combining knowledge is important for a richer development of policy interventions that can improve global health.

Personally, I have collaborated with the Global Health Hub Germany as a Member of its first Steering Committee in Parliament. Therefore, I am familiar with the Hub’s very important work in facilitating the dialogue around global health, and I will continue to support this work in the future.

What do you hope to achieve in global health over the next four years? 

We will continue to promote multilateralism during these challenging times and beyond. We support WHO’s leading and coordinating role in the global health architecture. International organizations require reform processes, which we will monitor and support. We need a stronger and more resilient global health landscape.

Furthermore, work on the Pandemic Agreement is not yet finished: We still need to establish an effective Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS) as the core element of the agreement in order to conclude this process successfully by next year.

We also plan to revise the midterm-review on the German Global Health Strategy this year since we need to make sure that the focus of the strategy’s priorities still suits the current times and remains fit for the purpose.

And finally, a more personal question: We also have the stakeholder group youth in our hub. What advice would you give to someone who is just entering the field of global health? 

First and foremost, I would like to thank every young person committed to the field of global health. I am deeply impressed that the members of the stakeholder group youth work on a voluntary basis alongside their university studies. Their engagement and the voice of the youth always provides added value. For everybody who just enters the field of global health: Be curious and open-minded, build up strong networks and be open to learning from others. Try to gain work experience for example by applying for an internship. The Hub e. g. will offer you a brilliant opportunity to acquire knowledge and to expand your experience in this field.