Monday, September 22 – Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City
Health Without Borders: Building a Global Workforce for the Future
The world is facing the greatest health workforce challenge of our time. By 2030, the WHO projects a global shortage of 11 million health workers, threatening access to care in every region — especially in low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, cross-border recruitment and migration are accelerating, opening new possibilities but also intensifying the strain on fragile systems.
Health Without Borders is where global action begins. Over three transformative days, the world’s policymakers, regulators, innovators, and health leaders will unite to:
- Accelerate workforce development through coordinated global investment
- Unlock mobility by harmonizing international credentials and standards
- Strengthen capacity with bold training programs and innovative governance
This is more than a conference — it’s a movement to shape the future of global health. Through thought-provoking panels, high-level fireside chats, and networking events, participants will co-create solutions that ensure health systems everywhere can rise to the growing demand for care.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and resilient global health workforce.
Agenda
From shortage to strength: Supporting the WHO call to action on health workforce development
Registration begins: networking and breakfast served
Opening welcome remarks
Supporting the global health workforce of the future: a high-level interview
A robust and well-supported health care workforce is key for achieving improved health outcomes and wellbeing, but also to drive economic growth and gender equality.
Fireside chat: Health without borders: Building a global workforce for the future
How can international and regional cooperation help strengthen national health workforce capacities? We explore how countries can effectively support continuous skill development of migrating health care workers and the need for new regulatory models to set safe standards and build resilient health systems.
Building trust – international cooperation models for workforce mobility
15% of health care workers globally are working outside their home countries, often creating shortages in already strained health care systems. How can host countries and countries of origin work together to address global workforce shortages through effective cooperation mechanisms? We dive deeper into successful strategies for ensuring mutual benefits and sustainable partnerships that strengthen global health systems in the face of new and old challenges.
High-level interview/mini panel: Boosting mutual benefits: Ensuring training of migrant health worker can benefit both local and global health systems
High-level interview
Details forthcoming
Networking lunch
1:30 p.m. EST
Fireside chat
Details forthcoming
Fireside chat
Details forthcoming
Panel discussion: What do local health systems need? Ensuring international migration of health workers benefit everyone
Moving from the WHO’s repeated calls to action on the development of the global health and care workforce to measurable results, this session will focus on what exporting countries need most and what is realistically possible within current systems. Panelists will identify priority interventions, discuss how to align resources with local realities, and explore the design of a global monitoring and coordination mechanism. The session aims to deliver a tangible outcome: a directory of actionable measures and commitments to guide meaningful support for workforce development. Following a moderated fireside chat with two workforce development experts, the moderator will invite the audience to use interactive tools to suggest ideas for the “directory”; experts will review and offer feedback on suggestions.
High-level interview
Details forthcoming
High-level interview
Details forthcoming
Keynote speech
Details forthcoming
Aligning credentials, unlocking mobility
Registration begins: networking and breakfast served
Opening welcome remarks
Fireside chat
Details forthcoming
How can we harmonize global health workforce credentials?
Harmonizing cross-border credentialing is key for building a more connected and capable global health workforce. Regulators, health systems, and international organizations must come together to ensure that international health practionters are equippied, recognized, and able to meet global health demands as populations age and new health challenges emerge. We'll discuss how harmonization could look like and the collective efforts needed to improve current credentialing systems.
Partner spotlight
Details forthcoming
Partner spotlight
Details forthcoming
Partner spotlight
Details forthcoming
Networking lunch
Details forthcoming
The road forward: Implementing harmonization of global health workforce credentials
What's needed to implement a harmonized and truly global credential system for the health workforce of the future? Key stakeholders will layout the roadmap and clarify the roles of governing bodies and international organizations in ensuring the necessary reforms and next steps, including through the creation of dedicated working groups to drive the initative forward.
High-level interview
Details forthcoming
Keynote speech
Details forthcoming
Bridging skills and standards: Preparing the next generation of health professionals
Registration begins: networking and breakfast served
Opening welcome remarks
Fireside chat
Details forthcoming
Training pathways and global mobility — aligning opportunities with expectations
A growing number of healthcare practitioners are trained in countries other than their own and they are increasingly migrating in what is now a global market for their talent. How can international training programs not only prepare workers to meet new health challenges but also ensure global recognition, professional advancement, and workforce mobility? We'll explore how training programs can be designed to attract a global workforce while also ensuring their skills are recognized and rewarded globally.
Reaping the benefits of investing in the health workforce: A high-level interview with Amanda Glassman
With a global shortage of 11 million health workers expected by 2030, ensuring that practitioners who gain experience and training abroad can bring back new skills and knowledge to strengthen their home health systems will be key. Hear more about how countries can reap the benefits of investing in the health workforce.
High-level interview
Networking lunch
Details forthcoming
Advancing innovation in health workforce regulation
How can innovation in health workforce regulation help ensure the highest quality care while also improving the international mobility needed to meet changing demand and evolving health challenges? By higlighting regulatory best practicies and governance innovation we'll explore the future of health workforce regulation.
Tech-enabled training: Shaping tomorrow's health workforce
Technology is reshaping how health professionals are trained, supported, and retained across diverse contexts; innovations are breaking down barriers to access and quality. This discussion will explore how technology can bridge skills gaps, strengthen regulatory oversight, and expand international training opportunities. Panelists will highlight practical examples of digital tools that enhance workforce mobility, ensure patient safety, and support lifelong learning— ultimately preparing health workers to thrive in a rapidly evolving global health landscape.
High-level interview
Details forthcoming
Closing remarks and reflections
SPEAKERS
Our media partner:
