Riley Sanders is Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs at the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP). He leads the Speak Up for COPD Coalition and supports member organizations worldwide to implement recent World Health Assembly resolutions on lung health, skin diseases, and rare diseases, turning global commitments into concrete national action. 

Previously, Riley led national and provincial advocacy at the Lung Health Foundation in Canada, working to improve prevention, diagnosis, and care for people with respiratory conditions. He has extensive experience advancing public health coverage, with a particular focus on patient advocacy, vaccination, and long‑term care reform. 

Yuka Sumi, MD, MPH, PhD, is a Medical Officer at the World Health Organization in Geneva, in the Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing (LHR). She leads WHO’s work on Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), supporting countries to strengthen health and care systems and workforce capacity under universal health coverage. She has also led development of WHO guidance including the guideline on non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults and the second edition of the ICOPE handbook.

Prof Lotte Steuten is deputy chief executive of the Office of Health Economics (OHE), the world’s oldest independent health economics research organization, based in London, UK, and a globally recognized expert in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR).  

Her research addresses challenges in valuing and paying for innovative therapies, with the aim of achieving effective, accessible, affordable, and efficient healthcare for all. She has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers on topics including the value of novel treatments, diagnostics and prevention for a wide range of non-communicable and infectious diseases. 

With 2 decades of experience across Europe, the United States, and Asia Pacific, she advises governments, industry, and other organizations worldwide. She is frequently sought by media and international stakeholders for expert commentary on HEOR, value assessment, health policy innovation, and evolution of health technology assessment globally. 

Alongside her position at OHE, Prof Steuten is a visiting honorary professor at City St George’s, University of London. Prior to joining OHE, she held academic faculty positions at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center  and the University of Washington in the United States. She earned her PhD (with honors) from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. 

Gregor Sneddon is Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), where he leads global efforts to advance healthy ageing through policy, partnerships, and advocacy. With a background spanning humanitarian response, ordained ministry, and civil society leadership—including as former Executive Director of HelpAge Canada—he brings a deep commitment to justice, equity, and the rights of older persons. 

The IFA is a global civil society organisation dedicated  to advancing healthy ageing and longevity through intersectoral collaboration. With general consultative status with the United Nations and formal relations with the World Health Organization, the IFA acts as a trusted, neutral convener bringing together diverse sectors to build shared understanding, bridge silos, and explore how policies, systems and investment can better adapt to longer lives.