The European Brain Council (EBC) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Brain Days, taking place on 24–26 September 2025 during the Science Summit at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York.
It is estimated that more than three billion people currently live with a neurological condition and 970 million with a mental health disorder worldwide. These conditions represent a high individual, social and economic burden and contribute immensely to the global burden of disease – in fact, as of 2024, neurological conditions alone are now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. The associated costs are placing mounting pressure on national fiscal budgets. Demographic changes—including shrinking working-age populations—are also reducing tax bases and exerting downward pressure on productivity and long-term economic growth.
The growing urgency to address this burden has catalysed a global movement to position brain health not only an issue of health or research, but as a social and fiscal public policy issue as well, with brain capital as a business and national competitiveness imperative. These priorities are now emerging as central to global conversations around public policy, economic development, and innovation.
Alongside science collaboration and prioritization of brain health, the 2025 Brain Days at UNGA80 will touch on a wide variety of topics, demonstrating why we must remain steadfast in our work towards strengthening international brain research and addressing brain health across the life course and within all aspects of our lives (brain development, built environment, workplace mental health, etc.) in order to prepare for a brain healthier future for us and generations to come.
In a world facing unprecedented geopolitical, social and economic change, the case for brain health is not just compelling — it is urgent. Join us in New York to shape a brain-healthy future.