Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2nd Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award. The announcement took place during HGPI’s flagship event, the “Health Policy Summit 2026” in Tokyo on July 21, 2026. Established to promote innovation in health policy across the Asia-Pacific region, this award recognizes young leaders and organizations making exceptional contributions to health policy and practice.

[Background]

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award was established as part of HGPI’s 20th-anniversary initiatives in 2024. Since its founding in 2004, HGPI has worked as an independent think tank with the mission of achieving citizen-centered health policy. This award reflects the vision and legacy of HGPI’s Honorary Chairman for Life, Kiyoshi Kurokawa, who played a central role in launching and guiding the organization.

Kiyoshi Kurokawa has been instrumental in bringing together diverse stakeholders and providing policy options with a global perspective. His dedication to principles such as “independence,” “neutrality,” and “feasibility” has earned HGPI recognition both in Japan and abroad. The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award embodies his commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders while creating a platform for global innovation in health policy.

[About the Award]

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award was created to honor young leaders who are driving transformative changes in health policy. It seeks to amplify their impact, spreading their influence from the Asia-Pacific region to the global stage. The award celebrates individuals and organizations that demonstrate:

• • Innovation: Developing novel approaches and solutions that challenge existing frameworks.
  • Impact: Delivering measurable, positive outcomes for both local and global communities.
  • Future Vision: Envisioning and working toward sustainable changes that address long-term challenges.

The selection process for this award was conducted with careful consideration, aligned with HGPI’s philosophy of “achieving citizen-centered health policy.” Candidates from diverse backgrounds and fields were evaluated based on their innovation, regional and international impact, and exemplary leadership as role models for the next generation.

[The 2nd Recipient]

Fiona Kupe (Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Child Health, National Capital District Provincial Health Authority)

Dr. Fiona Kupe is a paediatrician from Papua New Guinea, currently serving as Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Child Health at the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority in Port Moresby. A recognized emerging leader and vaccine champion, she is devoted to strengthening health systems and improving the quality of child health services in Papua New Guinea and across the Asia-Pacific region.

 

[Acceptance Speech]

[Future Prospects]

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award aims to spotlight and amplify innovative initiatives from the Asia-Pacific region, sharing these efforts with the global community. By providing a platform for young leaders, HGPI hopes to advance sustainable health policy solutions worldwide while fostering international dialogue. This initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between Japan and the international community, enabling the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and new ideas to inform both global and domestic healthcare policy.

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■About Fiona Kupe:

Dr. Fiona Kupe is from Ndrapitou 1 village, Nali-Penabu LLG in Manus Province, of the independent state of Papua New Guinea. She holds a Master of Child Health from the University of Papua New Guinea and completed her secondary education at the Papitalai Secondary School, Lorengau, Manus Province.

She is a Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Child Health for the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby. She is a recognized emerging leader and vaccine champion in the country, known for her commitment to strengthening health systems and improving the quality of child health services in Papua New Guinea and across the Asia-Pacific region.

Her clinical and policy work is focused on reviving routine and sustained health outreach programs to reach Papua New Guinea’s rural and remote majority (80% of the population) — with the ultimate goal of improving immunization coverage, which has remained stagnant at below 50% for the past decade. She is a strong advocate for increased domestic investment at all levels to achieve this.

She currently serves on several national health committees, including as Chair of the National Certification Committee for Polio Eradication, Chair of the National Verification Committee for Measles-Rubella Elimination, and as a member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), the National Child Health Advisory Committee, and the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Committee. Through policy, practice, and mentorship, she is ensuring that no child in Papua New Guinea is left behind.

 

 

Call for Applications for the 3rd Term (FY2026) is Now Open

We look forward to receiving your applications.