By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
BERLIN — As the globe marks the International Day of Peace, the World Health Summit (WHS) Academic Alliance has issued a stern joint declaration demanding the absolute protection of the right to health in conflict zones.
The scientific network, comprising 30 leading academic institutions globally, is urging international leaders gathering for upcoming United Nations high-level meetings to pivot toward utilizing healthcare as a core instrument for conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Released from Berlin on Monday, the declaration highlights the devastating human toll of ongoing global hostilities—spanning Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Iran.
According to the alliance, health systems have increasingly become primary casualties of war, with the systematic denial of humanitarian access weaponized by state actors.
“We are alarmed by the rise in such attacks by state actors and call for accountability under international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 2286,” the coalition stated.
The global appeal comes at a grim milestone, as the world grapples with 59 active state-based conflicts—the highest number recorded since 1946.
Against this backdrop, the network emphasized that safeguarding medical infrastructure and personnel is vital not only for saving lives during crises, but also for laying the groundwork for sustainable peace.
“This declaration reinforces the urgency that health should be understood as a fundamental right for all and an instrument for promoting peace, conflict resolution, unity, and betterment of the world,” the statement read.
The alliance’s roadmap outlines specific directives for key global stakeholders ahead of the UN High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response slated for September 25:
For UN Leaders: Advance interdisciplinary research intersecting health, security, and good governance; support social cohesion and reconciliation initiatives; and build the resilience of medical professionals operating in post-conflict environments.
For Academic Institutions: Embed peace within planetary health frameworks; generate gender-disaggregated data; and elevate women’s leadership in health security and recovery processes.
For Alliance Members: Sustain cross-border scientific collaboration; defend academic freedom; and foster equitable, evidence-informed dialogues alongside communities most impacted by violence.
