The D-8 Health Summit 2026 begins today at the Karachi Expo Centre to promote cooperation in the healthcare sector among the member states of the Developing Eight (D-8) Islamic countries. The summit will continue until July 25.
The international summit is being organized in collaboration with the Ibn Sina Institute, the World Aging Council, and the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme “Healthy and Age Friendly D-8 Countries.” Discussions will focus on health diplomacy, the growing challenges of an aging population, preventive healthcare, longevity, medical tourism, digital health, the impact of climate change, and sustainable health policies.
During the summit, renowned gerontologist Dr. Kemal Aydin will deliver a keynote address titled “Global Health and Aging Diplomacy: A Future Vision for D-8 Countries,” in which he will present proposals for international cooperation on developing healthy and age-friendly cities, particularly in the context of COP31.
Dr. Kemal Aydin, who completed his education at the University of the Punjab in 1996 and spent the early years of his professional career building strong academic ties with Pakistan, is participating this year as President of the D-8 Health Summit 2026 and the honorary chief guest of the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference.
In his message, Dr. Kemal Aydin said that nearly 30 years ago, they founded the Ibn Sina Institute and the World Aging Council with the dreams of a young physician, and seeing them today as a global platform is a source of great happiness for him. He added that Pakistan, where he received his education and which he has always considered his second home, inviting him as an honorary guest is a unique honor.
He also expressed special thanks to the organizers of the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference, Tanveer Abbas, Dr. Abid Abbas Sheikh, and the entire organizing team for their successful arrangements and cooperation.
Alongside the summit, Karachi D-8 Healthcare Week 2026 is being held from July 20 to 27, during which conferences, academic sessions, B2B meetings, and various corporate social responsibility programs related to healthcare, aging, innovation, investment, and international cooperation will take place.
On this occasion, an international signature campaign in support of the establishment of a United Nations Global Assembly on Ageing will be launched, and the Global Health and Aging Ambassadors Program will also be officially announced.
According to the organizers, the D-8 Health Summit 2026 will serve as an effective global platform to further strengthen health diplomacy among member countries, promote the exchange of expertise and experience, and support the development of healthy, age friendly, and sustainable societies.
