In a world facing evolving health, economic and environmental challenges, the 3rd World Local Production Forum (WLPF), held from 7 to 9 April 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, reaffirmed the global commitment to advancing local production as a driver of health equity, security, and sustainable development.
Launched by WHO in response to Resolution WHA74.6, the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) is a flagship platform for advancing coordinated global action on local production and technology transfer. This landmark initiative convenes Member States, UN agencies, industry leaders, financial and academic institutions, civil society, and other key actors globally to foster resilient, inclusive and sustainable health systems by strengthening local manufacturing capacity.
The 3rd edition of the WLPF convened in Abu Dhabi, drawing a high-level audience of 141 countries, including 16 ministers, alongside senior representatives from UN and development agencies, leading pharmaceutical companies and CEOs, academia, civil society and financial institutions. More than 200 expert speakers contributed to over 30 technical and strategic sessions, held under the theme “Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development.”
The 3rd WLPF reaffirmed four key actionable recommendations to accelerate progress on local production:
A key highlight of the Forum was its strong spirit of collaboration. Dr Jicui Dong, Head of the WLPF Secretariat and WHO’s Local Production and Assistance Unit, described the forum as a “local production family community”, a space where stakeholders co-create strategies, build trust, and share practical solutions. “Local production is a tough and complex journey,” she noted. “But political will, government commitment and stakeholder collaboration are what drive success.”
As countries begin translating these recommendations into action, WHO and the WLPF Secretariat will continue working with regional and global partners to support implementation, monitor progress and ensure that local production is integrated into the broader health-for-all agenda.
For deeper insights into the Forum’s outcomes and recommendations, readers are invited to explore the recommendations document and the full interview with Dr Jicui Dong following the 3rd WLPF 2025. The interview expands on the Forum’s central themes and outlines the path forward to the 4th WLPF.
WLPF website, LPA website, WLPF Secretariat contact : [email protected]
