The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched the Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF), a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening clinical trial environments worldwide. This multi-stakeholder network is designed to enhance infrastructure and coordination at national, regional, and global levels. The initiative responds directly to the World Health Assembly resolution WHA75.8, which emphasizes the need for improved quality in clinical trials to produce high-quality evidence for health-related decision-making.
The GCTF aligns with WHO’s Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials, which outlines critical principles and actions needed to refine the design, conduct, oversight, and application of clinical trials. Additionally, the Forum is supported by the Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS). This plan identifies nine priority action areas that address existing barriers within current clinical trial ecosystems.
Collaboration Among Diverse Stakeholders
The GCTF creates a collaborative platform that connects a wide range of stakeholders, including Member States, regulatory bodies, ethics authorities, funders, researchers, civil society, and patient engagement organizations. This network facilitates the dissemination of WHO guidance and best practices, enabling members to advocate for the adoption of high standards in clinical trial practices.
Through thematic working groups, members can actively engage in discussions and initiatives that contribute to the overarching goal of enhancing the reliability and ethical conduct of clinical trials. The Forum serves as a critical step in ensuring that all countries possess the capability to generate trustworthy evidence for guiding health policy and practice.
Membership in the GCTF is open to eligible organizations committed to implementing the objectives of WHA75.8 and WHO’s Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials. By joining, members will have the opportunity to collaborate with global experts, contribute to significant initiatives, and help shape the future of clinical trial ecosystems.
This launch marks a pivotal moment in advancing global health research. As the GCTF gathers momentum, it aims to foster a more inclusive and impactful clinical trial landscape, ultimately benefiting patient care and health outcomes on a worldwide scale. For those interested in joining this initiative, further information and membership applications are available through the WHO website.
