Diplomatic monocultures in public health diplomacy: a narrative review on conference equity, participation and visibility

Objectives Public health diplomacy increasingly unfolds under polycrisis conditions shaped by pandemics, conflict, demographic change, climate-related shocks, governance turbulence, and the infodemic. This narrative review examines conference equity, participation, and visibility as governance-relevant mechanisms within public health diplomacy. Methods We conducted a narrative synthesis of recent literature on global health governance, public health diplomacy, conference participation, diversity and inclusion, digital and hybrid convening, and equity-oriented capacity building. Results The synthesis indicates that participation and visibility gaps across gender, geography, country income context, career stage, language, mobility, and institutional resources can shape whose expertise is recognized, which agendas become prominent, and which coalitions form. We conceptualize these patterns as “diplomatic monocultures” that may narrow policy imagination, weaken legitimacy, and constrain capacity building. The review further identifies digital and hybrid formats as potential equity mechanisms only when designed to support comparable visibility, interaction, and influence. Conclusion Conference equity should be treated as a public health diplomacy lever. We propose a multi-level roadmap for organizers, institutions, funders, and governance actors to strengthen equitable participation and more context-responsive global health governance.