The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened the historic first Global Forum.
Representatives from over 800 institutions designated as WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) across more than 80 countries attended the one of the world’s largest and most diverse public health networks.
The Forum concluded today with a renewed sense of commitment across the broad network, moving beyond rigid scientific projects toward more dynamic and integrated partnerships highlighted the health threats emerging in today’s fragmented world—challenges that not only create an urgent need for action but also open new opportunities to mobilize efforts toward better health solutions.
The Collaborating Centres network has enhanced the Organization’s scientific foundations since its earliest years.
Over the past 77 years, the WHO CC network has expanded to include many of the world’s leading public health, academic, research, and technical institutions helping turn scientific knowledge into life-saving action worldwide.
“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.
WHO is also expanding its global community of CCs to confront emerging health threats with greater strength and unity worldwide aiming to build the scientific readiness the world will rely on when that moment comes.
The Global Forum participants emphasized that strong international cooperation remains essential, particularly amid reductions in global health financing.
To strengthen collaborative platform the next Global Forum will be held in 2027 WHO has announced.
