Healthcare innovation is no longer a distant ambition, it is a strategic imperative for national resilience, economic competitiveness, and population wellbeing. Around the world, governments are being asked to navigate a fast-moving landscape shaped by AI, genomics, advanced manufacturing, and new data-driven models of care. These breakthroughs hold enormous promise, but they also demand decisive policy frameworks, cross-border coordination, and long-term investment.

This opening keynote will set the scene for how leading nations are modernising regulation, strengthening digital infrastructure, and cultivating research–industry ecosystems to remain competitive.

As healthcare transforms, so too must public policy. What actions should governments prioritise now to unlock innovation, protect citizens, and future-proof their health systems?

Healthcare innovation isn’t just about better care; it’s a driver of national competitiveness. But Europe still moves too slowly. Lengthy approvals, fragmented data, and outdated processes delay new solutions and cost economies billions.

This session explores how Europe can cut friction, accelerate adoption, and turn speed into a strategic advantage. What would it take to go from breakthrough to bedside faster, without compromising safety or trust?

Where are the biggest slowdowns in Europe’s innovation pipeline? Which policies and partnerships can unlock speed? How can faster innovation boost Europe’s economic edge?

Across Europe, health systems are under financial strain: rising costs, ageing populations, workforce shortages and growing demand are stretching budgets to their limits. Traditional funding models are no longer enough.

This session asks how we keep systems sustainable, invest in innovation, and still deliver high-quality care. What new financing models, partnerships, and incentives can help Europe future-proof its health systems?

How do we fund rising demand without compromising care? What innovative financing models actually work? Most importantly: where should Europe invest now to save later?

A safe, secure environment is essential for delivering quality care. But rising cyber threats, ransomware attacks, and the growing impact of climate change are putting unprecedented strain on Europe’s health systems.

How do we build systems that can withstand disruption and keep patients safe?

The European Commission’s approach centres on four pillars: Prevent vulnerabilities through stronger infrastructure and preparedness. Detect emerging threats with real-time monitoring and shared intelligence. Respond and recover quickly and collaboratively to maintain continuity of care. Deter by restoring services fast and embedding lessons to strengthen future resilience.

This session explores what it takes to protect Europe’s health systems against the shocks of today and tomorrow.

By the end of HLTH Europe, the European Health Data Space Regulation will have been in force for 450 days. But there are other, more important frustrations with what could be transformative legislation.

March 2027 is the deadline for adopting key implementing acts, and providing detailed rules for the regulation operationalisation. March 2031, the desired date for it to be fully operational in all EU member states. 11 years after it was announced.

The European Health Data Space has the potential to accelerate cross-border research, streamline access to high-quality datasets for innovators, and give patients real control over their health information. It could unlock faster drug discovery, more precise diagnostics, and a stronger digital health market that competes globally. Yet as the clock ticks toward 2027 and 2031, the challenge is ensuring its impact matches its ambition.

The idea remains excellent. The pace lends itself to fears that by the time it’s launched it will already be out of date.

It’s been almost 3 years since Switzerland adopted a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the FDA, allowing certain Swiss and US drug manufacturing inspections to be mutually accepted rather than duplicated. The move was widely applauded as a time and resource saving moment.

As European companies struggle with balancing the demands of multiple regulatory frameworks across markets, and government funding constricts, is it time to start building global standards for validation?

Love thy (European) neighbour as yourself. Treat them with love, respect – and help stop the spread of communicable diseases across the continent.

The EU’s joint COVID-19 vaccine procurement and rollout proved what’s possible when Europe acts as one public health system: 27 nations, moving in lockstep, protecting millions.

They’ve done it once. Now, Europe is ready to transform its health systems from the inside out, together.

Innovation institutions, Member States and intergovernmental organisations will co-create solutions through the WHO/Europe Public Health Innovation Platform, catalysing system-level transformation and strengthening resilience across borders.

Europe knows how to innovate. So what creative, courageous and compassionate solutions can be brought to the table? And, even bigger: how do we build a more equitable, scalable and sustainable global healthcare system for all?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not side issues. They are central to how European healthcare will evolve, compete, and deliver impact in the decade ahead. From who joins the workforce to how technologies are designed and deployed, equity sits at the heart of performance and trust.

Health systems across Europe face increasing pressure to do more with less. Addressing inequities in access, outcomes, and representation is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic advantage. Inclusive teams are better at solving complex problems, designing patient-centred solutions, and adapting to change.

Europe now has an opportunity to set the global pace by making DEI a core pillar of healthcare transformation. The question is no longer whether it matters, but whether we are ready to treat it as essential to innovation, resilience, and long-term success.