PMAC: A Global Health Platform and WHO’s Longstanding Partnership

In a rapidly evolving global health landscape shaped by demographic change, rising noncommunicable diseases, mental health challenges, migrant health, climate and health, and strained health financing — the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) continues to serve as one of the global health platforms for advancing dialogue, evidence exchange, and policy reflection. By convening governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society, PMAC provides an established space to address complex health challenges and shape forward-looking solutions. As a long-standing partner, the World Health Organization (WHO) engages through strategic collaboration and technical contributions, bringing global evidence and policy perspectives that support equity, resilience, and people-centred health systems, and promote healthier populations.

First organized in 1998 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Prince Mahidol Award and held annually since 2007 in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, PMAC is co-hosted by the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, the Ministry of Public Health and Mahidol University, in collaboration with a broad network of global partners, including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, academic institutions, research organizations, civil society groups and development partners. Each year, the conference brings together global health leaders, policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations and senior government officials from countries across the world to discuss high-priority global health issues, foster shared understanding, generate practical recommendations, and advance collective action.

WHO's Partnership with PMAC

WHO has been serving as one of the co-chairs of the International Organizing Committee and contributing to the strategic direction of the conference and helping shape programme discussions around global health priorities. Every year, WHO experts and staff participate actively as speakers, panelists and side-event organizers, bringing global evidence and policy perspectives on pressing global health issues.

"PMAC provides a crucial platform for advancing global health in a rapidly changing world." — Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand

Dr. Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand

Photo credit: National Health Commission Office (NHCO)

PMAC 2026: Navigating Global Demographic Transformation

This year, PMAC centred on the demographic shifts rapidly reshaping societies and health systems worldwide—including population ageing, declining fertility, migration, urbanization, and widening inequalities. Discussions emphasized the urgency of equity-centred, forward-looking policies to turn demographic change into an opportunity for inclusive and sustainable development.

Discussions also touched on sustainable health financing and the role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in supporting health system responses to demographic change — with emphasis on balanced, context-appropriate use and strengthened governance.

WHO's Engagements at PMAC 2026

In engaging in this year's theme of demographic transition, WHO emphasized science and evidence, health equity, and people-centred, resilient health systems as essential foundations for responding to demographic change. WHO's engagement reflected contributions across three levels of the Organization, including headquarters, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and the WHO Country Office for Thailand — contributing across the PMAC programme, including a Special Session on the future of global health governance in fragmented world, plenaries, and side events, and engaging with governments and partners to advance shared priorities.

The WHO Country Office for Thailand co-organized with the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand one side event and participated as speakers and panelists in several sessions across the conference programme.

Demographic Shifts and Health System Transformation

Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, speaking as a panelist at PMAC plenary session on Demographic Shifts and Health System Transformation, emphasized that ageing, urbanization, migration, and fertility decline are fundamentally reshaping health demand, requiring systems that are inclusive, resilient, and prevention-focused.

Photo credit PMAC Secretariat

“Health begins before illness, and transforming health systems toward prevention-focused, resilient ecosystems for health is a strategic investment.” - Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand

Dr Li shared three key reflections:

Investing in health is investing in sustainable development.Reorienting health systems toward prevention, strong primary health care, and resilience is not a cost but a strategic investment in human capital. Healthier populations underpin productivity, social cohesion, and inclusive economic growth, while strengthening countries’ capacity to manage demographic transitions and withstand future shocks—from ageing and urbanization to climate and health emergencies.
Inaction risks a predictable and preventable crisis.Health systems that remain predominantly treatment-oriented are fiscally and socially unsustainable. With noncommunicable diseases responsible for roughly three quarters of global deaths, failure to shift decisively toward prevention, early detection, and integrated care will accelerate health expenditure, deepen inequities, and result in avoidable illness and premature mortality—placing growing strain on households, health systems, and national budgets.
Transformational health gains depend on cross-sector action for co-benefits.The largest and most sustainable health gains today come from addressing upstream determinants, including education, nutrition, housing, environmental quality, employment, and social protection. As most premature deaths from NCDs are preventable, effective responses require coordinated policies across sectors—aligning health, social, economic, and environmental agendas to deliver co-benefits for population health, equity, and sustainable development.

Dr Li highlighted Thailand as an example of sustained domestic financing for prevention and health promotion, including through a 2% levy on tobacco and alcohol. She stressed that “demographic change is predictable, but system failure is not inevitable”. The most expensive health system, she noted, is one that waits until people are sick. This also highlights the importance of equitable access to health services, supporting prevention and early action, and maintaining a balance between treatment and prevention.

Unboxing Healthy Ageing in Thailand

Thailand is projected to become a super-aged society by 2037, making healthy ageing a national priority. WHO Thailand and the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health Thailand co-hosted this session to showcase Thailand’s progress and provide way forward using the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) as a frame.

Photo credit: WHO Thailand

The discussion highlighted Thailand’s integrated approach across long-term care, age-friendly environments, person-centred services, and action against ageism. Speakers emphasized the need to expand the workforce for ageing societies, including strengthening community and informal caregivers, while advancing the “Silver Economy”.

“Ageing is not a burden—it is an achievement. Healthy ageing begins with respect, seeing older people as partners and contributors to Thailand’s future.”—Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand

Photo credit: WHO Thailand

Navigating Demographic Transitions: Loneliness and the Silver Generation

Up to one in three older adults experience social isolation globally. The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in May adopted the first-ever resolution on “Fostering Social Connection for Global Health.” It recognizes loneliness and social isolation as serious health risks, alongside other major determinants of health including nutrition, physical activity, and substance use.

Photo credit: PMAC Secretariat

The session provided a platform to explore the challenges and opportunities related to loneliness among older adults, emphasizing culturally sensitive approaches from diverse perspectives. Discussions also highlighted community-based strategies and cross-sector collaboration spanning health, social care and urban planning, while identifying practical approaches that can be adapted across different contexts to strengthen social connection and well-being among ageing populations.

WHO is grateful to the organizers, including the Institute of Philanthropy, for convening this dialogue and bringing together diverse stakeholders to advance shared learning on this important agenda. Dr Ailan Li mentioned “WHO strongly encourages country-led and locally driven solutions that are culturally sensitive, context-specific, and economically sustainable.

Smart Health System: Digital Solutions for Health Governance

WHO provided technical leadership in digital health governance, presenting the SMART Guidelines approach to help countries build interoperable, standards-based digital ecosystems.

The discussion emphasized digital public infrastructure, equity, and country capacity-building to move beyond fragmented pilots toward resilient, people-centred digital health systems that support better data use, surveillance, and accountability.

“If we use technology without governance, we create fragmentation. If we invest in digital health foundations with clear stewardship, we create sustainability.”—Mr Mark Landry, Programme Officer, WHO Thailand

Photo credit: WHO Thailand

Tackling Childhood Obesity through Multisectoral Approaches and Inclusive Health Systems amid Global Demographic Shifts

Childhood obesity continues to rise globally, driven by urbanization, unhealthy food environments, and social inequalities. The PMAC side event hosted by Department of Health and JICA explored integrated, evidence-based responses.

In 2022, Member States adopted WHO’s Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity. Its core message is powerful: obesity is a societal issue requiring coordinated, multisectoral action. WHO emphasized life-course prevention, stronger governance, and whole-of-society action to create healthier environments for children and adolescents.

Photo credit: MoPH Thailand

“Child obesity is not an individual failure; it is a societal wake up call. We need systems, environments, and policies that make the healthy choice, the easy choice.”—Dr Olivia Nieveras, Senior Public Health Specialist (Healthier Populations), WHO Thailand.

Strengthening Global Health Governance: Integrated Approaches for Climate Health Initiatives in Geopolitical Dynamics

Amid rising climate risks and geopolitical pressures, this side event hosted by ADB focused on strategic governance and cooperation to strengthen health systems' climate resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Photo credit: ADB Manila

Partners discussed National Health Adaptation Plans, innovative solutions to detect climate risk and improve climate-smart early warning systems, and protection of vulnerable populations. WHO stressed that health must be at the centre of climate action—anchored in science and equity. In 2025, Member States adopted the WHO Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health to offer one shared roadmap to countries.

“Climate and health governance works when countries lead, communities act, and partners align behind one shared purpose.”—Dr Olivia Nieveras, Senior Public Health Specialist (Healthier Populations)

Moving Futures: Migration, Labor, and the Health of a Changing Planet>

The session highlighted the need to protect migrant health, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and ensure inclusive health systems that leave no one behind in increasingly mobile societies. A virtual field visit demonstrated how declining international development assistance intersects with conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems, creating both risks and opportunities for migrants and displaced populations.

Photo credit: NHSO Thailand

WHO emphasized that global health financing is entering a period of uncertainty. Recent global estimates indicate that development assistance for health peaked during the COVID‑19 period and has since declined sharply, with further reductions projected as major donors scale back funding. —posing growing risks for migrants, refugees, and border health systems.>

“The current funding crisis presents an opportunity for countries to navigate away from aid dependency to sustainable self-reliance, based on domestic resources. International funding aid should serve to strengthen national health systems. Health actions need to be prioritized. High-priority Health services for Humanitarian response or 'H3-Package' developed by WHO could serve as a reference document to shape public health programme in protracted refugee setting."—Ms Aree Moungsookjarean, National Professional Officer, WHO Thailand

Looking ahead

WHO acknowledges and appreciates the sustained investment of the Royal Government of Thailand, the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, and all partners in convening PMAC each year — providing a vital platform to elevate complex and often under-addressed global health issues at a time when sustained attention and collaboration are especially important.As PMAC continues to convene governments, international organizations, civil society, and development partners, the conference remains instrumental in advancing evidence-based dialogue, fostering partnerships, and shaping policies that promote equity, resilience, and well-being across all ages and contexts.

Looking ahead, PMAC 2027 will focus on addressing the commercial determinants of health, and WHO looks forward to contributing to global discussions on how corporate practices and industry influence can be better aligned with public health goals to advance health equity worldwide.