Doha, September 19 (QNA) - Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in collaboration with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, concluded the Executive Program on Global Health Diplomacy and Cooperation.

The event spanned four days in Doha, with the participation of health leaders and policymakers from government entities and health institutions in more than 12 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

In a statement on Saturday, HBKU said the program was part of the "Doha Health Initiative for the Global South", launched by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in partnership with the Gates Foundation, with the aim of strengthening diplomatic and policymaking capacities among health leaders in Global South countries and supporting their greater engagement and representation in global health governance and multilateral policy processes.

It affirmed that the program reflects HBKU's commitment to developing the capacities needed to address formidable challenges at the intersection of health, policy and international affairs, noting that, by drawing on its academic expertise and benefiting from the expertise of Qatar's health and education sectors, the University contributes to strengthening links between different disciplines, executive education and policy development, in addition to supporting regional capabilities in global health.

Executive Director of the Executive Education Center at HBKU, Mohamed Abuelgasim, said global health diplomacy highlights the increasingly important connection between health, policy and international affairs, expressing his pleasure at hosting senior officials from across the region, whose contributions enriched the program with valuable insights and practical experience.

He added that, as a national research university, HBKU plays an important role in bringing its expertise to these intersecting areas and developing the capabilities professionals need to address complex challenges.

 Abuelgasim noted that executive education programs and partnerships with stakeholders contribute to turning academic excellence into practical learning that serves Qatar's priorities, strengthens professional capabilities, and supports sustainable development and prosperity.

For his part, Executive Director of Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Dr. Khalid Al Jaber, affirmed that the region is going through a pivotal period affected by multiple global challenges, including conflict, geopolitical competition, economic uncertainty, and pressures facing multilateral institutions, which may hinder sustainable development efforts and make international cooperation more difficult.

He noted that this period requires doubling efforts, particularly in vital sectors directly connected to communities, foremost among them healthcare systems, explaining that experience has shown that pandemics and shared health challenges transcend geographical borders and that addressing them requires effective international cooperation.

Dr. Al Jaber further explained that challenges related to antimicrobial resistance, strengthening healthcare and its financing, and preparedness for health crises cannot be addressed by any country acting alone.

He stressed the importance of the role played by the Council, in collaboration with its local and international partners, in developing health policies that have become an essential element of foreign policy, due to their close connection to strengthening international security and stability, ensuring sustainable financing, supporting innovation, and expanding prospects for international cooperation.

The Executive Program, which was specifically designed for senior public health leaders, focused on the evolving environment in which health policies are shaped and which is influenced, alongside medical and scientific considerations, by geopolitics, foreign policy, security, financing, trade, innovation, and crisis management.

It also aimed to develop participants' practical skills in health diplomacy, negotiation, and multisectoral cooperation.

Faculty members from HBKU's College of Public Policy, College of Health and Life Sciences, and College of Islamic Studies contributed to the program, alongside experts from Sidra Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation's ITQAN Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center, Qatar University, and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).

The participation of officials from health ministries in a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East contributed to strengthening ties of cooperation and professional engagement among them and to exchanging national experiences and best practices.

This is alongside supporting opportunities for future cooperation in relevant areas, as well as reinforcing the partnership between HBKU and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in preparing international health leaders, developing their capacity to innovate health policies, and enhancing their effectiveness. (QNA)