152nd WHO Executive Board Agenda Item 12.1 Individual Statement

February 03, 2023

12.1: Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies (two below sub-items taken together)

  • Strengthening clinical trials to provide high-quality evidence on health interventions and to improve research quality and coordination
  • Proportional division of funds for the Partnership Contribution of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits

Global Health Council, in collaboration with Global Health Technologies Coalition, is grateful for the opportunity to comment on agenda item 12.1.

Last year’s clinical trial resolution was a major milestone for advancing clinical trial capacity in low-income countries, but to ensure better implementation we urge Member States and WHO to:

  1. Address gaps in data on specific population groups and disease targets and gender biases in data, which may result in these groups being precluded from the development of, and access to needed interventions. This includes pediatric data and data from pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  2. Improve international collaboration and coordination on key priorities and multiregional clinical trials where appropriate.
  3. Support the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations and the WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform through data sharing and technical support.