The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a Qatar Foundation global health initiative, will host its eighth summit from November 29-30, 2026, at Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha. The summit will be held under the theme “The New Health Span”.
WISH 2026 will bring together leaders and professionals from healthcare, government, academia, research, technology, innovation, the private sector and civil society to discuss how health systems can respond to longer life expectancy and ongoing demographic and technological changes.
People in many parts of the world are living longer than previous generations, reflecting advances in medicine, public health, science and technology. However, longer life expectancy does not necessarily translate into better health. While some people remain active and supported in later life, others face chronic illness, social isolation, high healthcare costs and health systems that are not designed for aging populations.
“The question at the heart of WISH 2026 is simple, but deeply consequential: how do we help people live not only longer lives, but better ones?” said Dr Slim Slama, CEO of WISH.
“No single country, sector or discipline can answer this question alone. It requires the experience of health systems at different stages of development, the insight of researchers and practitioners, the perspectives of policymakers and the voices of communities themselves. WISH brings these diverse global perspectives together in Doha so that evidence, experience and ideas can be examined with the seriousness these challenges demand,” he added.
The WISH 2026 programme will focus on five key pillars: The Longevity Dividend, Financing the Cure, AI and Human-Centered Health, Future of Fertility, and Health Diplomacy 2.0.
The Longevity Dividend pillar will examine ways to support healthier aging and enable people to remain active and connected for longer. Financing the Cure will focus on models that can make new therapies accessible and financially sustainable.
AI and Human-Centered Health will explore the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening health systems while addressing issues related to trust, safety and accountability. The Future of Fertility pillar will consider scientific developments in fertility alongside related ethical and regulatory considerations.
Health Diplomacy 2.0 will examine international cooperation on health in the context of conflict, climate pressures, migration, disease outbreaks and supply chain disruptions.
The discussions will also consider changes required across health systems, policies, technologies, financing models and communities to ensure that longer lives are accompanied by better health outcomes.
WISH will continue its focus on health as a broader societal issue shaped by policy decisions, systems and relationships beyond clinical care. The summit will also bring perspectives from different health-system environments, including countries where healthcare innovation and access remain significant challenges.
WISH was established in 2012 as part of Qatar Foundation’s efforts to support global health dialogue and cooperation. Over the past decade, the initiative has conducted policy research, produced policy-focused reports and brought together international experts to examine health challenges across regions.
WISH 2026 will build on this work by focusing on how longer life expectancy can be supported by healthier, more equitable and resilient health systems.
