The Global Public Health Alliance (GPHA) formally launched on September 8, 2026, during the 18th World Congress on Public Health in Cape Town, bringing together three major pillars of the global public health community: the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).
The Alliance is designed to strengthen coordination across public health practice, academia, and institutions, creating a stronger platform for collective action on the increasingly interconnected challenges we see affecting people and the planet today. Together, the three founding organizations connect public health associations, academic institutions, and national public health institutes across countries and regions worldwide.
For GNAPH, the Alliance represents an important opportunity to strengthen the voice of academic public health within a broader global public health ecosystem. GNAPH, through representation of its regional academic public health associations and over 500 institutions globally, brings expertise in education, research, workforce development, and evidence generation to this partnership.
GNAPH President Professor John Middleton highlighted the importance of bringing these communities together:
“The institutes, associations, and schools of public health are coming together to teach, train, research, and advocate for policies and services that improve and protect health.”
The launch took place during a dedicated session at the World Congress, where representatives of the three founding organizations discussed the Alliance’s vision, priorities, and future direction. They highlighted the value of strengthening connections between research, education, policy, and practice; supporting the global public health workforce; amplifying perspectives from low- and middle-income countries; translating evidence into policy and practical action; coordinating responses to global and planetary health challenges; and engaging governments, international organizations, civil society, communities, and other partners.
GNAPH was represented in the launch discussion by Professor Middleton and Dr. Laura Magaña, alongside leaders from WFPHA and IANPHI. The session culminated in the formal signing of the Global Public Health Alliance Founding Charter, marking a commitment to sustained cooperation and to translating that collaboration into action at local, national, regional, and global levels.
GNAPH looks forward to contributing to this next phase of collaboration and to working with WFPHA, IANPHI, and partners around the world to strengthen public health capacity and advance healthier, more equitable, and more resilient communities. Read the launch announcement here.