On the morning of July 25, the plenary session of the Global Health Forum 2025 Beijing Conference of Boao Forum for Asia was convened. Yin Li, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia; and Mu Hong, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Vice Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia, delivered speeches.
Yin said that the pursuit of “health for all” is a shared aspiration of human society on the path towards progress and development. President Xi Jinping has attached great importance to public health, putting forward the vision of building a global community of health for all — an idea that is increasingly becoming an international consensus. In recent years, the Chinese government has given strategic priority to the people’s health and expanded the accessibility of healthcare services, delivering continuous improvements in public health. Beijing, with its comprehensive education system, strong scientific research capabilities, and vast talent pool, is committed to building an international innovation center while advancing the Healthy Beijing initiative. The city’s medical and health industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by vibrant pharmaceutical innovation and entrepreneurship. Looking ahead, Beijing will further strengthen innovation in pharmaceutical science and technology, accelerate the application of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, and strive for breakthroughs in areas including innovative medicines, medical devices, and smart healthcare. Efforts are underway to enhance healthcare services, improve the public health system, and build stronger capacity in disease prevention and control, medical treatment, and traditional medicine. The city will also promote innovative service models such as family doctors and internet-based diagnosis and treatment, with a greater emphasis on the health needs of the elderly, children, and women. High-quality development of the health industry will be advanced through favorable policies and a sound industry ecosystem, an enabling business climate, and the clustering of emerging sectors such as synthetic biology. Integration across healthcare, rehabilitation, and elderly services will be deepened. Furthermore, Beijing will deepen international exchanges and cooperation with global partners to enhance mutual learning in medical services, public health, elderly care, and the pharmaceutical industry, joining hands to advance progress in global health governance.
In his speech, Ban Ki-moon emphasized that the development and progress of the health sector are vital for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations (UN) and for enhancing the shared well-being of all humanity. At present, the global health sector still faces numerous challenges that require concerted and unified efforts from all stakeholders. He expressed hope that the World Health Organization (WHO) would continue to play a leading role in advancing universal health coverage and responding to public health emergencies. He urged all countries to formulate practical and feasible health strategies and action plans based on their respective national conditions, actively mobilize enterprises and other social forces, and continuously strengthen technology-empowered development. He called for joint efforts to deepen cooperation and ensure that both current and future generations can enjoy healthy lives in a peaceful and harmonious world.
Mu Hong highlighted several exiting prospects of technological innovation: providing new methods and means for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of numerous diseases; offering new technologies and solutions to long-standing challenges restricting health development; and providing new mechanisms and models for restructuring and reshaping the health system. He called on the international community to fully leverage the role of multilateral institutions such as the UN and the WHO to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global health governance system. It is also crucial to uphold the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, actively promote universal health coverage, continue to support technological innovation and openness, and facilitate the sharing and application of technological achievements. These efforts will pave the way for new paths and methods to address regional and global health challenges.
Zhang Jun, Secretary General of Boao Forum for Asia, presided over the plenary session. Other speakers included Jenny Shipley,Member of the Council of Advisers of Boao Forum for Asia and former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Pradip Paudel, Minister for Health and Population of Nepal; Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination of Pakistan; and María Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Under the theme of “New Future of Health Industry Driven by Innovation”, the conference features a plenary session, parallel forums, roundtables, special exhibitions, and health field visits. The aim is to explore emerging trends and opportunities in the health industry, foster exchanges and collaboration on cutting-edge technologies and new business models, and contribute wisdom and strength to addressing global health challenges.
Senior officials from relevant central authorities and Beijing municipality, foreign government officials, heads of international organizations, diplomatic envoys to China, entrepreneurs, and scholars participated in the event.
