Last week, we hosted “Convergence: A Global Health Connector Session,” a side event of the UN Financing for Development Conference (FfD4), shining a spotlight on the critical conversation about integrating health, science, finance, and the economy – fields that often work in silos – into a truly connected and collaborative ecosystem. Convergence is about bringing these sectors together under a shared mission for global wellbeing and sustainable growth.
The event brought together experts and leading voices from health, digital infrastructure, financial institutions, and global science governance. It took place at the Alfonso XIII Hotel in Seville, Spain, with attendees also joining online, to explore how we can effectively respond to today’s complex global challenges.
Our Chair, Brian O’Connor, and Declan Kirrane, Chairman and Managing Director of the UN Science Summit/ISC Intelligence, co-moderated the session, engaging participants on what convergence means, its importance, how we might achieve it across fields, and the challenges involved.
Collaborative effort is the key to true convergence
Mei Lin Fung, Chair, IEEE, referencing the concept of “the village without a road,” highlighted the importance of collective investment for shared benefit. “No one person can afford the road,” she noted, “but the whole village could benefit from it.” Systemic progress requires collaborative effort, and it is through this that true convergence can take shape.
Dr Raul Rosales, Senior Executive Fellow, Imperial College London, emphasised the urgent need for a unified framework that aligns science, health, finance, and economic growth to support sustainable research and policy. He outlined three critical priorities for global progress: cross-sector policy alignment, integrated data ecosystems powered by AI, and robust interdisciplinary governance and funding models. He said:
“Now is the time to explore how we apply systems thinking and a whole-systems approach – not just to understand the problem, but to operationalise the solution.”
On the topic of data, Declan Kirrane added that the complex regulatory environment is diverging, making collaboration more difficult rather than easier, which poses a challenge for convergence. Other discussants also reinforced the need for science-based decision-making to guide effective policy. This, they stressed, requires both robust data and ongoing dialogue between scientists and policymakers.
Shared responsibility as one human species: access and inclusivity
One of the emerging themes during the session was that crisis brings opportunity – and therefore it can also be a catalyst for convergence. A moment where global collaboration becomes not just beneficial but essential. Rather than approaching health challenges from isolated national perspectives, the conversation shifted toward a more unified vision: recognising our shared responsibility as one human species.
Continuing on this note, Dr Rizwana Mia (Senior Programme Manager, South African Medical Research Council) offered, from an African perspective, a powerful reminder that global progress in health and science cannot be achieved without inclusive representation and investment in under-resourced regions.
Dr Mia highlighted the fragmented nature of genomic data across many African countries, where disease patterns are understudied and populations underrepresented. “We are a human species, a single entity,” she said, calling for greater inclusion to build resilient, equitable health systems.
Bringing the conversation back to fundamentals, Professor Elena Ladas from Columbia University shared her view that convergence isn’t always about innovation. She emphasised that, in her opinion, saving lives often comes down to basic access, which deserves greater attention.
Empowered communities as a catalyst for natural convergence
A key theme that emerged was the power of communities. Participants emphasised that people should not be seen merely as sources of data in validation studies, but rather as “co-creators of solutions.” When communities are engaged from the very beginning, convergence can potentially happen organically – driven by shared needs, values, and goals.
Bleddyn Rees, Deputy Chair, ECHAlliance – The Global Health Connector, reinforced this point by reflecting on their early efforts:
“When we started the ECHAlliance, we naively thought we were breaking down barriers between public, private, and voluntary sectors – not realising we had to break down the barriers within each of them first. Our way forward was to build communities. But communities made up of all stakeholders, because that’s what it takes to truly transform health and care.”
“We call them Communities or Ecosystems and describe them as multi-stakeholder communities created on a regional or national basis. This has grown into a global network, now 85+ strong and still growing. It provides a solid foundation for all our efforts, offering intelligence from diverse places, experiences, and priorities.”
He said that building trust among stakeholders is essential to making convergence work. “It’s also about ambition – thinking big rather than being negative. And finally, it requires energy and determination to drive the change we need,” he commented.
Finding common language – What’s next?
In his closing remarks, Brian O’Connor captured the collective agreement from the session, the sense of urgency, and the shared commitment to move forward.
“We have strong agreement that convergence must happen – and at many levels. Money is not the problem. It is the convergence we need – and it is about learning to speak the same language.”
As the Global Health Connector, we are taking a practical next step forward. On 23rd September, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, we will host a Convergence Day – an opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share ideas, and focus on what matters most.
Brian added:
“We are once again convening this community to agree on specific actions to implement convergence. With your help, we will identify real-world examples that clearly demonstrate the benefits of collaboration. The collective power was on full display in Seville, Spain – now, we will build on that momentum.”
Join us – in person or virtually – in New York to turn ambition into action.
Missed the event? Watch the recording below to learn more.
