International Trade and Health Conference 2025
28.10.2025
" Trade and Health: Promoting Equitable, Innovation, and Resilient Future " Tuesday 28 to Wednesday 29 October 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand (Hybrid)
1 Background and Rationale
1.1 Background
The International Trade and Health (ITH) Conference has been organized annually since 2014 by the National Commission on International Trade and Health Studies (NCITHS) together with the International Trade and Health Programme (ITH) and partners. The conference provides a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, capacity building, and policy recommendations. The outcomes of the conference have been provided to relevant agencies as input for policy decisions and their relevant work.
1.2 Rationale for ITH Conference 2025
Global Situation
- The world is undergoing major transformations driven by geopolitical tensions among major trading powers, climate-related trade barriers, and the increasing use of technology and data in health and commerce. Additional geopolitical situations and global uncertainties in 2025 may lead to more global divide and fragmentation.
- Moreover, the current global landscape is increasingly shaped by competition between major powers especially the recent implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the United States and the widening divide between economic blocs. These developments can lead to fragmentation of the global trade systems and restrict access to essential health goods and services.
- Disruptions in global supply chains and evolving trade rules (e.g., digital trade, carbon border measures) have significant implications for health service access, affordability of medical goods, and cross-border health workforce mobility.
- In addition, shifting demographics including aging populations, growing urbanization, and labor migration, is also another key factor exerting pressure on health systems and trade dynamics.
- At the same time, innovation in digital health, artificial intelligence (AI), and health service delivery models create new opportunities to strengthen health systems and cross-border collaboration.
International trade and health
- The reciprocal relationship between trade and health is crucial. Trade can increase the fiscal capacity for investment in health systems and technologies, while a healthy population enhances productivity, trade competitiveness, and economic stability.
- Given the current global situation, the health sector can contribute to improving the situation in several aspects, for instances, proactively engaging in trade negotiations to safeguard access to essential medicines and health services and strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce over-dependence on a few trade partners, advocating for trade rules that support Universal Health Coverage and public health protection, collaborating with digital and AI sectors to expand health service trade while maintaining privacy and quality, and collaborating with trade and other ministries to elevate health in the national trade strategy.
- In this context, there is an urgent need for evidence-based dialogue on how international trade and health policies can be aligned to achieve public health, economic development, and equity goals.
ITH Conference 2025
- It is therefore important to examine the complex interlinkage between geopolitical shifts and their effects on trade and health systems. The 2025 ITH Conference aims to address these pressing issues by fostering collaboration among global stakeholders. Through rigorous analysis, the conference seeks to formulate strategies that will mitigate trade disruptions and improve the equitable distribution of health resources. This proactive approach is designed to prepare nations for the future challenges while also harnessing technological advancements to improve health outcomes.
- Building on the momentum of the 2024 ITH Conference and the current global situation, the ITH Conference 2025 will focus on the main theme “Trade and Health: Promoting an Equitable, Innovative, and Resilient Future” aiming to address both the challenges and transformative potential at the trade and health interface.
2 Conference Objectives
The conference will provide a venue and opportunity for exchanging and discussing related issues, with the following objectives:
- To examine the impacts of current geopolitical, economic, technological, and demographic changes on international trade and health.
- To develop and strengthen international collaboration on research and capacity building on trade and health.
- To develop actionable policy recommendations and strategies to create more resilient, equitable, and health-promoting trade systems.
3 Expected Outcomes
- Joint research and collaboration framework
- Capacity building strategy
- Recommendations for WHO, WTO, and regional bodies on supporting Member States in evidence-informed decision-making
4 Expected Participants
- International organizations
- Policymakers in health, trade, and related sectors
- Research institutions, academics and think tanks
- Civil society organizations
- Private sector, especially digital health, logistics, and pharmaceuticals
5 Co-organisers
- National Commission on International Trade and Health Studies (NCITHS)
- CCS-EnLIGHT Programme (Enhancing Leadership in Global Health Thailand), International Health Policy Foundation
- World Health Organization Southeast Asia Region (WHO/SEARO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
- International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organisation) (ITD)
6. Dates and Venue
Tuesday 28 to Wednesday 29 October 2025, Bangkok, Thailand and online
7. Conference sessions
Session 1: Geopolitical challenges and implications for trade and health policies and equity
Session 2: Improving health innovation and access through trade and technologies for a healthier world
Session 3: International trade and heath aspect under the WHO Pandemic Agreement
Session 4: Enhancing regional resilience in the current and future global contexts
Session 5: From foresight to impact: Research collaboration to promote equitable, innovative and resilient future
Session 6: The way forwards and opportunities for trade and health synergy
8. Tentative Programme
See Details > Programme
Please contact chaaim@ihpp.thaigov.net / or ith.programme@gmail.com for more information.
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