WHO Launches the Global Clinical Trials Forum

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step forward in global health research with the launch of the Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF) in 2025. This new network is designed to improve clinical trial environments and infrastructure across the world, ensuring that countries are better prepared to generate evidence, apply scientific knowledge, and respond effectively to public health challenges.

Why was GCTF created?

The Global Clinical Trials Forum was established to support the implementation of World Health Assembly resolution WHA75.8, which emphasizes the importance of strengthening clinical trial ecosystems. Clinical trials play a vital role in developing new medicines, vaccines, and health interventions. However, many regions face challenges such as limited capacity, lengthy approval processes, and lack of infrastructure.

By bringing together a global network of stakeholders—including research institutions, regulators, ethics authorities, funders, patient groups, and the private sector—the GCTF aims to bridge these gaps and create a stronger, more reliable clinical trial system.

Vision and Mission

The vision of the GCTF is clear: to establish efficient clinical trial approval processes and maintain sustained trial capacity that can be used for everyday healthcare needs as well as emergencies. This is not just about preparing for the next pandemic but also about ensuring continuous improvements in health systems worldwide.

The mission is to implement WHA75.8 by strengthening the trial environment and infrastructure. In simple terms, the forum wants to make sure every country has the tools, capacity, and systems in place to conduct meaningful clinical trials that build trust and generate actionable evidence.

Objectives of the Forum

The GCTF has two broad objectives:

1. Supporting WHO trial guidance:

   • Increase awareness of WHA75.8 and WHO’s best practice guidelines.

   • Help countries improve trial environments through actionable strategies.

2. Networking and knowledge sharing:

   • Connect stakeholders from different sectors and regions.

   • Facilitate collaboration to ensure smoother and more effective clinical trials globally.

Why does this matter?

Strong clinical trial systems mean faster, more reliable, and more ethical research outcomes. This directly benefits patients by ensuring access to new treatments and health solutions. It also strengthens trust in healthcare systems, as communities see transparent, well-regulated research happening in their countries.

In the long term, the GCTF will help nations not only during emergencies like COVID-19 but also in tackling everyday health challenges such as diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases.

Conclusion

The launch of the Global Clinical Trials Forum is a major milestone for global health. By uniting stakeholders, strengthening infrastructure, and building lasting trial capacity, the WHO is paving the way for more equitable, efficient, and impactful health research worldwide.

For more details, you can read the official WHO announcement here: WHO launches the Global Clinical Trials Forum

References

• World Health Organization. (2025). WHO launches the Global Clinical Trials Forum. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/07-10-2025-who-launches-the-global-clinical-trials-forum

• WHO. Resolution WHA75.8 – Strengthening clinical trials to provide high-quality evidence on health interventions.