Medical students and young health professionals,
Good morning.
It is a pleasure to join you for the IFMSA Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2026.
I have had the privilege of working with IFMSA for many years. Throughout that time, I have been deeply impressed by the quality of your engagement.
I saw this during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations and in your advocacy to place health at the centre of climate discussions.
You came prepared. You brought thoughtful ideas. And you helped move the conversation forward.
That is why I am particularly pleased that IFMSA is represented on the WHO South-East Asia Regional Youth Council.
Your voice matters, and your contributions are helping shape the future of health in our region.
Your theme this year, “Sustainability in Health – Our Responsibilities for Future Generations”, could not be more relevant.
When many people hear the word sustainability, they think first of climate change.
And they are right to do so.
Across our region, we are already seeing the health consequences of extreme heat, floods, changing disease patterns and environmental degradation.
Addressing these challenges will require all of us to work together.
But sustainability in health is about more than climate alone.
It is about ensuring that future generations inherit not only a healthier planet, but also strong health systems, trusted institutions and opportunities to thrive.
Across Asia and the Pacific, your generation has already demonstrated its power to shape societies and influence decisions.
Too often, young people are described as the leaders of tomorrow.
I am not sure that is true anymore.
You are already helping shape the world around you.
The question is how you will use that influence.
My message to you today is simple.
First, champion science and trust.
Sustainable health systems depend on evidence, innovation and public confidence.
As future health leaders, defend science, communicate clearly, and help build trust in health information and institutions.
The future of health depends not only on new discoveries, but on people's confidence in them.
Second, ensure young people have a voice.
Sustainability is about thinking beyond the present moment.
The decisions made today will shape the health and wellbeing of future generations.
Make sure young people are part of those decisions.
Health systems work better when they are designed with young people, not simply for them.
Third, lead beyond the clinic.
The health challenges your generation will face cannot be solved by the health sector alone.
Climate change, urbanization, demographic shifts and digital transformation require collaboration across disciplines, sectors and borders.
The future needs health professionals who can build partnerships, connect ideas and bring people together.
These are not only leadership qualities.
They are responsibilities.
Responsibilities to the communities you will serve, the health systems you will help shape, and the generations that will follow.
I wish you a productive and inspiring meeting.
Thank you.