Launched in 2024 by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in partnership with the Gates Foundation and with the support of the Government of Qatar, the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative (DGSHPI) provides a platform for Global South countries to share lessons, strengthen cooperation, and shape regionally driven health solutions.

The initiative was established in response to persistent challenges in many Global South health systems, where indicators remain stagnant despite significant global investments. DGSHPI amplifies South–South knowledge exchange, enabling policymakers to engage in peer learning and identify practical solutions to common health policy and implementation challenges.

Annual Convening

DGSHPI convenes health leaders in Doha on a yearly basis, building continuity from one gathering to the next. Each convening takes stock of lessons learned, identifies emerging priorities, and connects technical discussions to capacity building and catalytic action projects.

The first convening in 2024 laid the foundation for candid peer exchange between Global South countries, Qatari stakeholders, and international partners. Subsequent convenings continue to build on this momentum, deepening collaboration and generating practical solutions to shared health system challenges such as financing, integration, and governance.

Visit the links to view last year’s Annual Convening summary report in Arabic, English, or French.

Key Activities

DGSHPI advances its mission through five core activities:

• Annual Convenings: Multi-day gatherings in Doha that sustain dialogue and collective action on pressing health system issues.
• Community of Practice: A platform for regular peer-to-peer engagement among Global South health officials.
• Capacity Building: Training programs developed in partnership with Qatari institutions to strengthen skills in health program management, communication, donor engagement, and advocacy.
• Documentation & Case Studies: Capturing and sharing lessons, best practices, and country experiences in accessible formats such as reports, case studies, and training resources.
• Catalytic Action Projects: Pilot initiatives, co-designed with partners, to address bottlenecks in logistics, institutional capacity, funding, and technology, with potential for scale and replication.

Our Vision

To build a sustainable platform for collaboration among Global South countries, enabling them to:

• – Strengthen national health systems.
• – Share regionally relevant solutions.
• – Influence global health policy debates with their collective voice.

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