WHO Holds First-Ever Global Forum with 800+ Collaborating Centres to Boost Scientific Cooperation

Why This Forum Matters for Global Health

When the World Health Organization (WHO) brought together more than 800 institutions from over 80 countries for its first-ever Global Forum of Collaborating Centres, it wasn’t just another meeting. This gathering marked a turning point in how the world’s top scientists plan to work together on our biggest health threats.

You might wonder why this matters to you. The answer is simple: the work done by these centres affects the safety of the food you eat, the quality of the vaccines you receive, and how quickly the world can respond to the next health emergency. These institutions help turn complex science into real-world protections for you and your family.

What Are WHO Collaborating Centres?

WHO Collaborating Centres (often called CCs) are not part of WHO itself. Instead, they are leading hospitals, universities, and research labs around the world that WHO partners with to get work done. Think of them as a global army of experts who volunteer their time and knowledge to solve health problems.

The network is based on one of WHO’s core constitutional duties. In 1949, the Second World Health Assembly made a key decision. Instead of building its own research facilities, WHO would coordinate and support existing expertise around the world. Over the past 77 years, this approach has proven wise. The network now includes many of the world’s top public health, academic, research, and technical institutions.

These centres help WHO in several important ways:

• Setting global standards for health products and practices
• Supporting innovation in medicine and public health
• Conducting joint research projects across borders
• Training health workers in developing countries
• Turning scientific knowledge into life-saving actions

The Challenge of a Divided World

During the Global Forum, scientists discussed health threats emerging in today’s divided world. Political tensions, funding cuts, and competing national interests make cooperation harder than ever. Yet these challenges also create new chances to join efforts for better health solutions.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, described the network as “an immensely valuable but under-utilized resource for global health.” He emphasized that these centres “bring together the world’s leading institutions to translate evidence into action to support countries, strengthen health systems, and protect populations.”

Dr Tedros called collaborating centres “a powerful demonstration of international cooperation, and what it means to stand with science.” This message comes at a critical time when trust in science faces challenges in many parts of the world.

What Experts Say About Scientific Cooperation

Health experts generally agree that no single country can solve global health problems alone. Diseases do not respect borders. A virus that emerges in one part of the world can reach any other country within hours. This reality makes international scientific cooperation not just helpful, but essential.

Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist, highlighted this point at the forum. “Science is at the heart of everything we do to protect and improve health,” she said. She described the global network as “an extraordinary concentration of scientific expertise and public health leadership.”

Dr Briand added that together, these centres “form a powerful force for knowledge, innovation, and action.” She stressed that at a time of growing global health challenges, “this spirit of trusted scientific collaboration is not only valuable — it is indispensable to protecting lives and shaping a healthier future for all.”

Preparing for the Next Pandemic

The Forum ended with a stronger sense of commitment across the network, moving beyond rigid scientific projects toward more flexible and connected partnerships. One of the most ambitious efforts discussed was the creation of CORC (Collaborative Open Research Consortia).

CORC networks bring together thousands of scientists from leading research institutions worldwide. Their mission is bold and essential: to speed up the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for Disease X. Disease X is the name scientists use for the unknown pathogen that could cause the next pandemic.

By working together in advance, these networks aim to build the scientific readiness the world will need when that time comes. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that speed saves lives. Having research networks already in place could cut months or even years off the time needed to develop new medical tools.

How This Affects You

The work of WHO Collaborating Centres touches your life in many ways you might not realize. When you receive a flu shot, the standards for that vaccine were likely developed with help from a WHO CC. When you travel abroad, the health guidelines you follow come from research supported by this network.

Here are some practical ways this network protects you:

• Setting safety standards for medicines and medical devices
• Monitoring disease outbreaks and sharing data across countries
• Developing guidelines for treating common and rare diseases
• Training health workers who may one day care for you or your family
• Coordinating research on health threats that cross borders

The Funding Challenge

Participants at the Global Forum stressed that strong international cooperation remains vital, especially as global health funding decreases. This is a major concern. When funding drops, the ability to respond to health emergencies also drops.

Coordinated global responses, shared investment, and teamwork are critical to stopping local health crises from turning into global emergencies. Experts warn that cutting funding for international health cooperation is a short-sighted strategy. A health problem that starts in one country can quickly become everyone’s problem.

Looking Ahead

The Global Forum builds on momentum from the international One Health Summit, which gathers leaders from human, animal, and environmental health fields. It is also a key event in the World Health Day 2026 campaign, with the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

WHO has announced that the next Global Forum will take place in 2027. This commitment shows that the organization sees the network as a long-term investment, not a one-time event. The goal is to further strengthen this historic platform for collaboration.

Practical Takeaways for You

While you may not work in a research lab or attend global health meetings, there are things you can do to support the kind of science that protects us all:

• Stay informed about health recommendations from trusted sources like WHO and your national health agencies
• Support science-based policies in your community and country
• Understand that global health cooperation benefits you directly, even if it happens far away
• Get vaccinated according to recommended schedules — vaccines are one of the greatest successes of international scientific cooperation
• Share accurate health information with friends and family to fight misinformation

The WHO Collaborating Centres network represents one of the largest and most varied public health networks in the world. Its first Global Forum showed that even in a divided world, scientists remain committed to working together for better health. That commitment, backed by the world’s top institutions, is a powerful force for protecting lives everywhere.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Content reviewed by the HealthyMag Editorial Team.