WHO consults on action plan for sustainable clinical research infrastructure

On 18 and 19 June 2024, WHO convened a clinical trials stakeholder consultation, held at its headquarters in Geneva, bringing together experts from diverse countries. Participants included researchers, research funders, ethicists, regulators, policymakers, and industry representatives.

The consultation followed up on the inaugural Global Clinical Trials Forum meeting held in 2023 and aimed to build on the vision to enhance global clinical research capabilities agreed at that meeting. Key conversations focused on advancing actions towards this vision and included discussions on a draft action plan.

Highlights from the meeting included: 

• Commitment to strengthening the global clinical trials ecosystem: participants emphasized the importance of enhancing the global clinical trials ecosystem. 
• Call for stronger collaborations: there was a strong call for enhanced collaboration among clinical trial stakeholders, both within specific sectors such as regulation, funding, and civil society, and across different sectors. 
• Optimizing existing tools and resources: attendees discussed the need to adapt and utilize existing tools and resources across the stakeholder landscape, such as maturity and capacity building models, avoiding the duplication of efforts in developing new initiatives. 
• WHO’s leadership role: WHO’s role in leading and coordinating global collaborations was highlighted as crucial. 

WHO outlined the planned actions for implementing the resolution on clinical trials (WHA75.8) during 2024 to 2025.  

Other presentations included insights into clinical research at country level, with examples from Canada, India, Nepal and South Africa. Actions by a range of stakeholders covering various areas such as regulations and ethics, research transparency, community engagement and trials in critical care, pregnant and lactating women and children were also shared. Representatives of leading clinical trials funders also shared actions by the funding community to enhance clinical trials globally.

The meeting provided input into a draft global action plan to operationalize the vision of strengthening and sustaining clinical trials infrastructure and ecosystems. This draft will undergo further consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including patient groups, and community representatives, in the coming months to refine and finalize the action plan.

Next Steps 

The forum set the stage for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among global clinical trial stakeholders. The expected outcome is a comprehensive action plan that will guide efforts to bolster clinical research capabilities worldwide, ensuring better health outcomes for all.