As part of the XII Global Baku Forum, a panel session titled “Global Health in Crisis: New Frontiers in Preparedness and Equity” took place, moderated by Benedetto Zacchiroli, President of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR).
During the panel session, Minister of Health Teymur Musayev emphasized that in recent years, global health has experienced both progress and setbacks due to factors such as pandemics and climate change. He stated: “Although global health crises such as pandemics and epidemics are devastating, they also create opportunities for positive change. These crises drive urgent innovations in vaccines, treatments, and medical technologies. They also expose weaknesses in healthcare infrastructure, prompting countries to implement reforms, develop more sustainable policies, and increase investments to support effective decision-making.”
It was emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the implementation of socially oriented policies, the transition to digital governance, and economic diversification have strengthened Azerbaijan’s position as a leading country in the region:
“As the Head of State mentioned in his speech, the unanimous decision to hold COP29 in Baku last November is a testament to the great respect and trust of the international community in our country. Reducing the impact of environmental pollution on human health and promoting a healthy lifestyle are key priorities of the Azerbaijani government. The main activities include establishing climate-resilient and low-carbon healthcare systems, developing green hospitals, and creating a climate-adaptive medical workforce.”
In his speech, Teymur Musayev stated that the development of the healthcare sector will be shaped by technological progress, data analysis, and the shift towards personalized medicine:
“At a time when the world is facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, a new assistant – artificial intelligence – is joining us. One of its most significant contributions is expanding access to healthcare services, particularly by strengthening primary healthcare systems. To fully integrate these technologies, it is essential to establish a legislative framework that ensures the effective and practical use of artificial intelligence.”
The minister emphasized that in future healthcare policies, the security of sensitive medical data, patient rights, and the regulation of artificial intelligence usage should be prioritized to prevent cyber threats and misuse of medical information:
“While digital tools offer significant benefits, they should not replace the human factor; rather, they should serve as supportive instruments that allow healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to direct patient care.”
The panel session also featured speeches by UN Deputy Secretary-General and UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, former President of the State of Israel (2007) Dalia Itzik, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova (2015) Chiril Gaburici, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former Vice President of the World Bank (1992–2000) Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of the Global Partnerships Forum Amir Dossal, and other officials.
Following the speeches, discussions took place on the topic, and relevant questions were addressed.
