A step towards more equitable, inclusive, and efficient research systems worldwide.
Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress — yet their global distribution, accessibility, and efficiency remain highly uneven. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has just released the Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS).
This plan outlines nine priority actions aimed at transforming how clinical trials are funded, designed, conducted, and integrated into health systems globally, especially addressing persistent disparities in low- and middle-income countries.
Key focus areas include:
▪️ Strengthening national leadership and governance of research ecosystems.
▪️ Ensuring patient, community, and public engagement throughout the trial process.
▪️ Addressing barriers faced by underrepresented populations.
▪️ Promoting innovative trial designs, digital technologies, and decentralized models.
▪️ Accelerating capacity building and workforce training.
▪️ Improving the speed and efficiency of regulatory and ethics processes.
▪️ Embedding clinical trials into routine care and health systems.
▪️ Enhancing research transparency via registries and open data.
▪️ Expanding cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration.
WHO will also launch the Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF), a platform to connect stakeholders, share knowledge, and support the implementation of these reforms.
This is an important step toward building sustainable, resilient, and equitable clinical research ecosystems worldwide — capable of responding effectively to both ongoing and future health challenges.
