The World Health Organization Convenes Historic First Global Forum of Collaborating Centres, Forging United Front Against Emerging Health Threats.

In a landmark assembly for global public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently convened its inaugural Global Forum of Collaborating Centres (CCs), bringing together an unprecedented gathering of scientific and technical expertise. This historic event united representatives from over 800 institutions, designated as WHO Collaborating Centres, spanning more than 80 countries. Representing one of the world’s largest and most diverse public health networks, the forum marked a pivotal moment in global health governance, aiming to galvanize a renewed commitment to dynamic, integrated partnerships that transcend traditional scientific silos.

A Foundation of Global Collaboration: The Evolution of WHO Collaborating Centres

The concept of leveraging external scientific prowess has been intrinsic to the WHO’s operational philosophy since its nascent stages. Rooted in one of the Organization’s core constitutional functions, the Collaborating Centres network was envisioned not as an internal research behemoth, but as a coordinator and facilitator of existing global expertise. This strategic approach was formally affirmed in 1949, during the Second World Health Assembly, which articulated a clear mandate: WHO should advance health research not by creating its own monolithic institutions, but by effectively coordinating, supporting, and amplifying the scientific capabilities already present across the world. This foundational decision laid the groundwork for a network that would become indispensable to global health.

Over the subsequent 77 years, the WHO CC network has undergone remarkable expansion and diversification. From its humble beginnings, it has evolved to encompass many of the globe’s preeminent public health laboratories, academic research institutions, clinical centers of excellence, and technical bodies. These institutions, handpicked for their specialized knowledge and capacity, act as vital extensions of the WHO, providing critical support in areas ranging from disease surveillance and outbreak response to policy development, vaccine research, and health system strengthening. Today, this vast network remains an unparalleled asset, instrumental in upholding and disseminating WHO’s global norms and standards, fostering innovation, conducting collaborative research, and building essential health capacities worldwide. It serves as a crucial conduit, translating complex scientific knowledge into tangible, life-saving actions on the ground, particularly in resource-limited settings where local expertise may be scarce.

Addressing a Fragmented World: Threats, Opportunities, and Renewed Commitment

The Global Forum’s timing was particularly pertinent, occurring amidst a period characterized by escalating global health threats and increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Scientists and public health leaders at the meeting underscored the multifaceted nature of these challenges, which include not only the persistent specter of infectious diseases but also the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, the health impacts of climate change, the rise of antimicrobial resistance, and the complexities of health misinformation. These converging crises, while daunting, were also framed as catalysts – opening new opportunities to mobilize collective efforts and drive innovative solutions for better global health outcomes.

The discussions at the forum culminated in a palpable sense of renewed commitment. Participants expressed a clear intent to move beyond rigid, often isolated, scientific projects toward more fluid, dynamic, and integrated partnerships. This shift signifies a recognition that complex global health problems demand interdisciplinary approaches and seamless collaboration, transcending institutional boundaries and national borders. The forum’s conclusion marked not just the end of a meeting, but the beginning of a revitalized era for the WHO Collaborating Centres network, poised to operate with greater agility and synergy.

Leadership Perspectives: Voices from the WHO

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, articulated the profound value of the network, stating, "WHO’s network of collaborating centres is an immensely valuable but under-utilized resource for global health." His observation highlights a critical ambition of the forum: to unleash the full potential of this vast network. Dr. Tedros emphasized that the CCs bring together "the world’s leading institutions to translate evidence into action to support countries, strengthen health systems, and protect populations." He further underscored their symbolic and practical importance, declaring, "Collaborating centres are a powerful demonstration of international cooperation, and what it means to stand with science." This statement resonates deeply in an era where scientific consensus is often challenged, positioning the CCs as bastions of evidence-based policy and action. The forum, in this context, aimed to activate this "under-utilized" potential, ensuring that the network’s collective intelligence is more effectively harnessed for proactive, rather than merely reactive, global health initiatives.

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist, reinforced the central role of science in the Organization’s mission. "Science is at the heart of everything we do to protect and improve health," she affirmed. Dr. Briand lauded the global network of WHO collaborating centres as "an extraordinary concentration of scientific expertise and public health leadership," recognizing their collective power as "a powerful force for knowledge, innovation, and action." Her remarks underscored the indispensable nature of trusted scientific collaboration, particularly in a period of escalating global health challenges. She stressed that this collaborative spirit is not merely valuable but "indispensable to protecting lives and shaping a healthier future for all," highlighting the network’s role in driving forward crucial research, guiding policy decisions, and building resilience against future health crises.

Strategic Initiatives for Future Readiness: CORC and Disease X

In a forward-looking move, the WHO announced plans to strategically expand its global community of CCs, specifically to confront emerging health threats with greater strength and unity. A cornerstone of this expansion is the creation of the Collaborative Open Research Consortia (CORC). CORC represents an innovative model: networks of leading research institutions designed to bring together thousands of scientists worldwide, fostering unprecedented levels of collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The mission of CORC is both audacious and critical: to accelerate the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for "Disease X." This term refers to the unknown pathogen that scientists and public health experts universally acknowledge could spark the next devastating pandemic. The concept of Disease X acknowledges that while specific pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 emerge, the scientific community must be prepared for unforeseen viral threats. By pooling resources, expertise, and data, these CORC networks aim to build a robust scientific readiness that the world will critically rely on when the next pandemic-causing pathogen inevitably emerges. This proactive approach, moving beyond retrospective responses, represents a paradigm shift in global health security, emphasizing preparedness and rapid countermeasure development as paramount.

Addressing the Global Health Financing Challenge

A significant and recurring theme throughout the Global Forum was the critical importance of sustained international cooperation, especially in light of recent reductions in global health financing. Participants voiced concerns that a decline in funding could severely impede the collective ability to respond to health crises and maintain essential health services, particularly in low-income countries. Global health financing, which saw a surge during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown signs of contraction, raising alarm among public health leaders. This contraction threatens to undermine progress made on various fronts, from immunization campaigns to efforts against endemic diseases.

The forum emphasized that coordinated global responses, coupled with collective investment and unwavering collaboration, are not merely beneficial but absolutely critical. Failure to invest adequately and collaboratively risks allowing localized health crises to escalate rapidly into global emergencies, as demonstrated by past pandemics. The economic argument for sustained investment in global health is compelling: every dollar invested in preparedness and resilient health systems yields significant returns in terms of averted economic losses and preserved human lives. The call was clear: global health security is a shared responsibility requiring sustained financial commitment from all nations.

The Broader Vision: "Together for Health. Stand with Science."

The Global Forum of Collaborating Centres was strategically aligned with broader global health initiatives, leveraging existing momentum to amplify its impact. It served as a central event of the World Health Day 2026 campaign, which is themed "Together for health. Stand with science." This theme encapsulates the very spirit of the CC network: collective action underpinned by rigorous scientific evidence. The forum also drew synergy from its alignment with the international One Health Summit, which convenes leaders and experts from human, animal, and environmental health disciplines. The "One Health" approach recognizes the intrinsic interconnectedness of these domains, acknowledging that human health is inextricably linked to the health of animals and the environment. This holistic perspective is crucial for addressing zoonotic diseases, food security, and the impacts of climate change, making the CC network’s multidisciplinary expertise particularly valuable. By linking these initiatives, the WHO aims to foster a more integrated and comprehensive approach to global health challenges.

Looking Ahead: The 2027 Forum and Beyond

The successful conclusion of this inaugural forum has laid a robust foundation for future collaboration. Recognizing the immense value generated and the imperative to sustain this momentum, the WHO has already announced that the next Global Forum of Collaborating Centres will be held in 2027. This commitment signals a long-term vision for strengthening this historic collaborative platform, ensuring that the network continues to evolve, adapt, and lead in addressing the complex health landscape of the 21st century.

The enduring legacy of the WHO Collaborating Centres network lies in its unique ability to harness global scientific excellence for the common good. From its inception as a strategic leverage of external expertise to its current role in spearheading initiatives like CORC for Disease X, the network embodies the spirit of international cooperation and scientific integrity. As global health challenges continue to mount, the strengthened bonds and renewed commitment forged at this historic forum will undoubtedly prove instrumental in building a healthier, more resilient future for all populations worldwide, cementing the Collaborating Centres as an indispensable pillar of global health security and progress.