The United Kingdom – Türkiye Trade and Investment Summit: Innovation in Digital Health was hosted by Istinye University in collaboration with the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office and the British Consulate General in Istanbul.
The opening remarks were delivered by Kenan Poleo, His Majesty’s Consul General in Istanbul and Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, together with Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş, Rector of Istinye University. The session continued with speeches from Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şuayıp Birinci, Deputy Minister of Health of Türkiye; and Lee Joseph, Managing Director of NHS London Procurement Partnership.
“We are coming together to co-create”
Kenan Poleo, His Majesty’s Consul General in Istanbul and Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlighted the importance of innovation and international cooperation:
“Today, two innovation-driven countries are coming together not just to talk, but to co-create. Trade and investment underpin life sciences and support sustainable societies. Our focus today is digital health innovation—advancing healthcare delivery and research. Digital health innovation is already underway; these systems help reduce inequalities and put patients at the center of healthcare. Our work is not only about new discoveries but also about turning these advances into services. The United Kingdom and Türkiye are successfully collaborating on shared priorities and health trade. Let us continue to build together for healthier societies and better lives.”
“It is our pleasure to welcome you at Istinye University”
In his address, Rector Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş emphasized the social responsibility of universities and the importance of international collaboration under the vision of a “New Generation University”:
“It is a great pleasure to welcome you at Istinye University. As a New Generation University, our priorities are student-centeredness, science, ethics, quality, and contribution to society. From medicine to engineering, from artificial intelligence to health sciences innovation, our academics, researchers, and students work together to create value.
Universities are the cornerstone of societies. Public service and social responsibility are integral to the duties of universities towards society and the world. New Generation Universities should always aim for change and development through student- and learning-centered approaches, sustainability and quality, science and knowledge, ethics and law, and global cooperation.
The United Kingdom and Türkiye have historically shared close cooperation. Today, we aim to carry this partnership into the future, taking stronger steps together.”
“Türkiye has reached an extraordinary capacity”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şuayıp Birinci, Deputy Minister of Health of Türkiye, underlined Türkiye’s significant progress in digital health transformation:
“Forecasts show that the digital health sector will grow by 22 percent annually until 2030. With the progress we have made in Türkiye, our qualified digital infrastructure and advanced health applications enable us to provide high-quality healthcare at an extraordinary capacity.
Through the ‘E-Nabız’ platform, with more than 78 million users, every citizen can manage their own health data digitally. The system supports better medical decision-making, establishes a secure digital bridge between doctors and patients, and makes healthcare services more accessible. Looking ahead, we are developing AI-based systems that will allow individuals to foresee their own health trajectories in the near and distant future, make better lifestyle choices, and receive personalized alerts and optimizations for healthier living.”
“We are jointly serving the world’s development and future”
Dr. Birinci further stated:
“In Türkiye, 70 percent of people over the age of 60 live with chronic disease. Globally, 58 percent of the population will not be able to access the healthcare they need by 2030. Digital health innovation, AI, and the proper management of health data will be critical in expanding healthcare access and ensuring quality services in the future.
Very soon, AI-based doctor assistants will be able to directly interact with patients in hospitals. As the Ministry of Health, we continue to share our knowledge and expertise internationally, determined to serve the common health, development, and future of the world together.”
“Türkiye’s investments are making a big difference”
Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office, highlighted the most invested sectors:
“In 2024–2025, the two most invested sectors were artificial intelligence and life sciences–based healthcare. This is a strong indicator that Türkiye’s investments in digital health are making a large-scale impact.”
A Platform for Future-Oriented Cooperation
The summit stood out as a key platform to strengthen digital health collaboration between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, to share innovative solutions, and to expand sustainable healthcare investments between the two countries. Participants emphasized that the event marked a starting point for concrete steps toward the future of healthcare services and research.
