Stephen Maltin, Executive Director of Globo Forum, the organization that sponsors the event, said that Cuba was chosen to host the meeting for its achievements in this field, which should be an example for the world.

He added that Cuba has been able to create innovative products showing that a government’s political will is more important than financial limitations and obstacles.

Maltin explained that some of the main topics to be discussed include the challenges of health research as well as the new diseases and pandemics that are currently affecting the world. There will also be a proposal to create an international financial organization to support health studies.

The event will take place until Friday at Havana’s Convention Center with the presence of officials from the World Health Organization (WHO), health ministers from several countries, representatives from the World Bank, Non Governmental Organizations and pharmaceutical companies from all over the world.

The Global Forum for Health Research was created in 1998. Its headquarters are in
Switzerland and it aims at promoting health studies, particularly in underdeveloped nations.