Shaping the future of clinical trials: Building an ethical, efficient, and equitable ecosystem

In May 2022, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution 75.8, "Strengthening clinical trials to provide high-quality evidence on health interventions and to improve research quality and coordination." This resolution underscores the need to enhance both global and national clinical trial ecosystems to advance equitable clinical trial capacity and improve health outcomes.

In response to this mandate, the World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting a virtual event to launch a new Series of articles to be published in The Lancet Global Health. These independently authored articles explore key reforms needed to strengthen clinical trial design, ethics, regulation, and infrastructure, contributing to discussions on improving the quality, credibility, and impact of clinical research globally.

Event purpose

This event aims to engage and inform key stakeholders about the upcoming Series in The Lancet Global Health and its alignment with ongoing efforts to strengthen clinical trials worldwide. The launch will provide a platform to discuss the themes covered in the Series and explore their implications for global health research and policy.

Event objectives

• Inform: Present key insights from the Series and how they contribute to discussions on clinical trial reform.
• Engage: Facilitate discussions on the relevance of these findings for strengthening clinical trial ecosystems.
• Adopt: Encourage consideration of the issues raised in the articles for advancing clinical trial policies and practices.
• Collaborate: Strengthen partnerships that drive innovation and improvements in clinical trial governance, ethics, and implementation.

Target audience

This event is designed for a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, clinical trial regulators, funders, researchers, community and patient engagement advocates research ethics committee members.

Expected outcomes

• Increased awareness of the themes discussed in The Lancet Global Health Series on Clinical Trials and their relevance to strengthening clinical research.
• Interest in applying these insights to enhance clinical trial governance, ethical oversight, and implementation.
• Strengthened partnerships among policymakers, regulators, funders, researchers, and advocacy groups.
• Momentum for continued discussions on strengthening clinical trial ecosystems globally.

Join us to engage with global experts, explore key challenges, and drive solutions for more effective and inclusive clinical trials!