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  • ABOUT

The 2025 Annual Convening of the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI) will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 13 – 15 October 2025, bringing together senior health officials, policymakers, and experts from across Global South countries, alongside Qatari institutions and international partners.

Launched in 2024 by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in partnership with the Gates Foundation and with the support of the Government of Qatar, the DGSHPI provides a unique platform for South-South peer learning, technical cooperation, and collaborative action on shared health challenges. The initiative aims to amplify the perspectives of Global South countries in shaping health policies and strengthening systems at both regional and global levels. Visit the links to view last year’s Annual Convening summary report in Arabic, English, or French.


The three-day convening will feature:

  • Technical Day (13 October): Country-led discussions on addressing budget constraints and strengthening resilience through the prioritization and integration of health services, with immunization as key case study.
  • Communications Training (14–15 October): Practical sessions designed to build the capacity of senior ministry officials in strategic and risk communication, including combating misinformation and disinformation, crisis communication, and effective public engagement.
  • Public Panel (15 October): A high-level closing discussion on the evolving global health financing landscape and how Global South countries can prioritize and integrate resources under current constraints.

The event will provide an opportunity to share practical experiences, identify solutions, and strengthen collaboration across regions by convening diverse voices and fostering candid dialogue.

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) is an independent, non-profit policy research institution based in Doha, Qatar. It conducts policy-relevant research, convenes meetings and dialogues, and engages policy actors on geopolitical and socio-economic issues facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The ME Council strives to serve as a bridge between the MENA region and the rest of the world by providing a regional perspective on global policy issues and establishing partnerships with other leading research centers and development organizations across the MENA region and the world.

Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of co- chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.