UNGA at 80: What a “back to basics” UN reform means for global health security and development
Following the announcement of Trump’s “Board of Peace”, Kaitlyn Radford from Portland’s Healthcare and Life Sciences team – reflects on her key takeaways from UNGA’s 80th anniversary meeting hosted by UNA-UK at Central Hall Westminster in January 2026, and what it signals for organisations working across global health and international development sectors. Multilateralism is under strain, but it remains indispensable Eighty years after the first United Nation General Assembly (UNGA), multilateralism is again being asked whether it can deliver in […]
“A roadmap doesn’t drive a car” – reflections from the ABHI conference
Many of the speeches at the Association of the British HealthTech Industry (ABHI) conference inspired hope about the future of the health service. The oratory and rhetoric of Lord Darzi and Minister for Health Innovation and Safety Dr Zubir Ahmed MP show leadership that has a clear vision for the future of healthcare in Britain […]
The water crisis: A broken promise that cannot be ignored
Fifteen years ago, the United Nations declared access to water and sanitation a universal human right, as essential as shelter, safety, or education. In 2025, that promise remains unfulfilled for billions. One in four people still lack access to safe drinking water. Nearly half of the global population remains without basic sanitation. More than 419 […]
The 78th World Health Assembly: A moment of uncertainty and opportunity for global health
Analysis from Portland’s Global Health experts The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) unfolded amid profound uncertainty and transformation in global health. With geopolitical shifts, financial pressures, and evolving disease threats converging, this Assembly tested the resilience of global cooperation and set a course for a more integrated, accountable health system. Held under the timely theme […]
World Health Summit 2024: Building Trust and Partnerships for a Healthier World
Earlier this week, Portland’s global health team joined thousands of global experts across science, business, politics, civil society and international organizations at the 2024 World Health Summit in Berlin. Under the theme of “Building Trust for a Healthier World,” sessions explored the interconnected health challenges shared by countries – from infectious diseases and climate-driven […]
Funding global health into the future
With a new UK Prime Minister whose views on international development are little known, plus an impending fiscal event in which every budget is at risk of being cut, a conference on funding international development and global health this week was well-timed. The Devex ‘Future of Development Finance’ conference saw private sector, philanthropic and civil […]