The World Health Organization has convened its first-ever Global Forum of Collaborating Centres in Geneva, Switzerland, on 9 April 2026, uniting over 800 institutions from more than 80 countries to strengthen scientific collaboration and improve global public health.
The forum marks a significant milestone in the history of the WHO Collaborating Centres, which are designated institutions that work closely with the WHO to support its global health mandate. These centres are a diverse network of universities, research institutions, and other organizations that provide technical expertise and support to the WHO in areas such as infectious disease surveillance, health emergencies, and health systems strengthening. The forum provides a unique opportunity for these institutions to come together, share knowledge, and coordinate their efforts to address some of the world's most pressing public health challenges.
The Global Forum of Collaborating Centres takes place at a critical time, as the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and faces new and emerging health threats such as antimicrobial resistance and climate change. The WHO Collaborating Centres play a crucial role in supporting the WHO's efforts to respond to these challenges, and the forum is an important step towards strengthening the global public health infrastructure. By bringing together the world's leading public health institutions, the forum aims to foster greater collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing, and to identify new opportunities for joint research, training, and capacity-building.
The outcome of the Global Forum of Collaborating Centres is expected to have significant implications for global public health, as it is likely to lead to new partnerships, collaborations, and initiatives that will help to address some of the world's most pressing health challenges. The WHO will work closely with the Collaborating Centres to develop a roadmap for future collaboration, which will include priorities such as strengthening health systems, improving infectious disease surveillance, and enhancing research and development capacity. The forum is also expected to lead to new opportunities for training and capacity-building, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the need for strong public health infrastructure is greatest.
