{"id":3455,"date":"2026-01-19T18:51:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vbhi-institute.org\/?p=3455"},"modified":"2026-01-19T18:51:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:51:24","slug":"vbhi-at-the-world-brain-health-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vbhi-institute.org\/en\/vbhi-at-the-world-brain-health-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"VBHI at the World Brain Health Forum"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”intro”]VBHI was recognised and widely represented at the World Brain Health Forum held in Paris on 15 January.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

The first World Brain Health Forum<\/h2>\n

Brain health<\/strong> is one of the major challenges<\/strong> of the 21st century. Neurological and mental disorders affect one in three people worldwide and represent the leading cause of disability. Beyond disease, brain health encompasses cognitive, emotional, behavioural and motor functions, and plays a key role in economic and social development.<\/p>\n

Despite major scientific advances, prevention and treatment solutions remain insufficient<\/strong>. However, recent progress in neuroscience, digital technologies and artificial intelligence is opening up unprecedented opportunities.<\/p>\n

In this context, VBHI<\/strong> was invited to take part in the World Brain Health Forum<\/strong>. Organised by the Paris Brain Institute and its Director General, Professor St\u00e9phanie Debette<\/a>, founder and former Director of the VBHI, this event brought together clinicians, researchers, public decision-makers, international organisations and industry representatives in January in Paris, with the aim of fostering international collaboration and translating scientific discoveries into therapies, prevention strategies and evidence-based public policies.<\/p>\n

The Forum also marked an important step in strengthening political engagement in support of brain health at a global level.<\/p>\n

VBHI highlighted<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In his inaugural address on global and cross-sector partnerships on January 15, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon<\/strong>, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighted VBHI<\/strong>, expressing his strong support for the newly launched Global Brain Care Scholars Program<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0 international initiative is jointly led by the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, the Vascular Brain Health Institute (VBHI), and the Paris Brain Institute (ICM), in collaboration with the Global Brain Care Coalition<\/a> and the Global Brain Health Institute<\/a>. The program aims to train and empower local brain health champions in the Global South, addressing the growing global burden of stroke, dementia, and depression.<\/p>\n

Professor Jonathan Rosand, <\/strong>Founder of the Global Brain Care Coalition, and Neurology Professor at Harvard Medical School, JP Kistler Endowed Chair, Massachusetts General Hospital, also expressed his motivation and support for the new program, while praising VBHI\u2019s ambition.<\/p>\n

VBHI was\u00a0 represented notably by Professor Igor Sibon<\/strong><\/a>, Interim Director of VBHI; Professor Katerina Akassoglou<\/strong><\/a>, member of the VBHI Scientific Advisory Board; Dr Ma\u00eblenn Guerchet<\/strong><\/a>, member of the VBHI Board of Directors; and Professor St\u00e9phanie Debette<\/strong>, VBHI Omics referent and initiator of the event.<\/p>\n

Professor Thierry Couffinhal<\/strong><\/a>, Deputy Director for Biomedical Innovation at VBHI, was also present at the venue.<\/p>\n

Professor Katerina Akassoglou<\/strong> was one of the keynote speakers<\/strong> in Session 2, \u201cAccelerating therapies and prevention\u201d<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr Ma\u00eblenn Guerchet<\/strong> co-chaired Session 5, \u201cGlobal, multilateral and multistakeholder approaches to brain health\u201d<\/strong>, during which Professor Igor Sibon<\/strong> took part in the roundtable discussion \u201cLevers for Action towards Equitable Brain Health\u201d<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

VBHI strategic directions shared by its Director<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By 2050, more than two thirds of people affected by brain disorders will live in countries of the Global South. International and transcontinental partnerships can accelerate progress by pooling data, resources and expertise.<\/p>\n

During his intervention, Professor Sibon<\/strong> highlighted key priorities<\/strong> for the international community:<\/p>\n