WHO Convenes Historic First Global Forum of Collaborating Centres to Strengthen Global Health Science

The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened its historic first Global Forum of Collaborating Centres in Lyon, France, marking a pivotal effort to synchronize the world’s most diverse public health network. Bringing together representatives from more than 800 institutions across more than 80 countries, the event seeks to transition the network from a collection of individual scientific projects toward a more integrated, dynamic system of global partnership according to official WHO reports.

Under the theme “Collaborating for a Healthier Future,” the First Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres is designed to strengthen scientific and technical collaboration to support the Fourteenth General programme of Perform (GPW 14). By aligning the expertise of hundreds of global institutions with the WHO’s commitment to “Health for All,” the forum aims to translate complex scientific evidence into actionable health policies that can be implemented at global, regional, and country levels.

The forum is being held in a hybrid format, allowing for both virtual and in-person participation. In-person sessions are taking place at the Village Implid in the Matmut Stadium and the WHO Academy in Lyon as detailed in the event’s official calendar. This strategic gathering is held on the sidelines of the One Health Summit 2026, hosted by the Government of France, highlighting the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.

Aligning Scientific Expertise with GPW 14

A central objective of the forum is to harness and optimize the contributions of WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCC) to support the priorities of GPW 14. The WHO is working toward a shared roadmap that explicitly links the activities of these centres to the priorities of the Fourteenth General programme of Work. This roadmap is intended to identify existing gaps in scientific research and outline strategies for measurable impact across various global health initiatives.

Collaborating Centres serve as strategic partners that provide the scientific and technical foundations for WHO’s global norms and standards. Through these partnerships, the WHO can advance evidence-informed health policies and promote coordinated action to address urgent global health priorities. By strengthening these collaborative networks, the organization hopes to better address emerging health challenges and reinforce the delivery of its “Health for All” agenda.

A Legacy of International Cooperation

The network of Collaborating Centres is not a new invention but is rooted in the core constitutional functions of the WHO. The principle of leveraging existing global expertise was established as early as 1949, when the Second World Health Assembly affirmed that the WHO should advance health research not by creating its own internal institutions, but by coordinating and supporting existing expertise worldwide as noted in WHO’s historical archives.

Over the past 77 years, this system has evolved into a massive community of academic, technical, and public health institutions. These centres provide essential services, including laboratory expertise, research, training, and technical advice. This framework allows the WHO to turn scientific knowledge into life-saving action by utilizing the professional capacity of institutions that are already established and operational within their respective regions.

“WHO’s network of collaborating centres is an immensely valuable but under-utilized resource for global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It brings together the world’s leading institutions to translate evidence into action to support countries, strengthen health systems, and protect populations. Collaborating centres are a powerful demonstration of international cooperation, and what it means to stand with science.”

Strengthening Global Health Architecture in a Fragmented World

The timing of the forum is critical, as scientists at the meeting have highlighted the health threats emerging in an increasingly fragmented global landscape. These challenges create an urgent need for synchronized action, yet they also provide opportunities to mobilize new health solutions. Participants emphasized that sustained international cooperation and strong multilateral institutions are essential, particularly in an era of fluctuating global health financing.

By expanding and strengthening these collaborative networks, the WHO aims to identify key trends and risks more efficiently. The goal is to move beyond “rigid scientific projects” and instead foster integrated partnerships that can respond rapidly to crises. This approach is seen as vital for preventing local health crises from escalating into global emergencies through coordinated global responses and collective investment.

Key Objectives of the Global Forum

• Optimization of Contributions: Linking WHOCC activities directly to GPW 14 priorities to ensure scientific work translates into measurable health outcomes.
• Network Expansion: Strengthening the ties between more than 800 institutions across 80+ countries to better address emerging threats.
• Strategic Roadmap: Developing a clear plan to identify scientific gaps and coordinate the delivery of the “Health for All” agenda.
• Multilateral Synergy: Leveraging the One Health Summit 2026 to integrate human, animal, and environmental health perspectives.

As the forum concludes, the focus shifts toward the implementation of the shared roadmap. The success of this initiative will depend on the ability of these 800+ institutions to maintain a renewed commitment to dynamic partnership and the translation of evidence into action to protect populations worldwide.

The next major milestone for the network will be the formalization and rollout of the shared roadmap linking WHOCC activities to GPW 14 priorities.

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