The Future of Global Health Diplomacy: Collaborating Across Borders

Katu Amina H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International Uganda

ABSTRACT

Global health diplomacy (GHD) is rapidly evolving as globalization, transnational threats, and complex political landscapes reshape the intersections of health and international relations. This paper examines the historical evolution, core concepts, and institutional roles within global health diplomacy, emphasizing the shift from state-centric negotiations to multi-actor, multi-level engagements. It highlights the growing involvement of non-state actors, public-private partnerships, and regional organizations in shaping global health policies. Through case studies and analysis of bilateral and multilateral agreements, it examines successes and persistent challenges, such as health inequities, vaccine nationalism, and governance fragmentation. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified both the power and the limitations of GHD, underscoring the need for stronger frameworks that balance knowledge, ethics, political interests, and equity. This paper argues that future global health diplomacy must prioritize inclusive collaboration, institutional reforms, and a redefinition of health security to meet emerging threats and ensure sustainable health equity across all nations.

Keywords: Global Health Diplomacy, Health Governance, Public-Private Partnerships, Multilateral Agreements, Health Equity, International Relations.

CITE AS: Katu Amina H. (2025). The Future of Global Health Diplomacy: Collaborating Across Borders. Research Output Journal of Public Health and Medicine 5(2):67-74. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJPHM/2025/526774