HKUMed to Host First-Ever World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Hong Kong

Hong Kong will take a central role in shaping the global health agenda when HKU’s LKS Faculty of Medicine hosts the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting for the first time in May 2027, a milestone that positions the city as a “super connector” for turning Asia’s health priorities into cross-border action.

HKUMed officially received the baton to host the WHS Regional Meeting 2027 at the WHS Opening Night in Berlin on October 11, 2026. Themed ‘Health Across Borders’, the Meeting will bring some 2,000 leaders from governments, multilateral agencies, academia, civil society, and the private sector to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next year.

“Receiving the baton from Nairobi is such a privilege, and HKUMed is ready to help shape the next chapter of global health collaboration”, said Professor Chak-sing Lau, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine at HKU, who will serve as Incoming International President of the World Health Summit 2027.

“We will harness our city’s role as a super connector to bring together leaders and changemakers. ‘Health Across Borders’ is our ambition to turn connections into actions, and scientific advances into better health for everyone.”

As the leading platform for global health, the World Health Summit convenes an annual summit in Berlin and a regional meeting at a rotating location. The regional meetings highlight local and regional leadership and priorities, bringing these perspectives into discussions that advance the global health agenda.

HKUMed joined the WHS Academic Alliance in 2024, becoming the first institution from Hong Kong, China, to enter the international network. Its selection to host the 2027 Regional Meeting underscores the Faculty’s growing engagement with the global health community.

Professor Axel R. Pries, President of the World Health Summit, said the Regional Meetings play an important role in elevating regional priorities to the global dialogue.

“We are delighted to pass the baton from the successful 2026 Regional Meeting in Nairobi, hosted by Aga Khan University, to the University of Hong Kong”, he said. “The 2027 WHS Regional Meeting will provide a central platform for collaboration on imminent and future health challenges.”

The Meeting coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong SAR and HKUMed’s 140th anniversary, and aligns with Hong Kong’s ambition to become a health and medical innovation hub.