WHO Launches Global Webinar Series to Drive Evidence-Based Policy-Making

The initiative aims to ensure that scientific evidence is systematically translated into policies and programmes that improve health outcomes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step toward strengthening evidence-informed decision-making with the launch of a new global webinar series focused on implementing its global research agenda on knowledge translation and evidence-informed policy-making.

The inaugural session, held on 17 December 2025, brought together 120 participants from 38 countries, including researchers, policymakers, funders, and knowledge brokers—signaling strong global interest in bridging the gap between research and real-world policy.

Moving from Research to Real-World Impact

The webinar marks a transition from designing the global research agenda to actively implementing it in national and institutional contexts. The initiative aims to ensure that scientific evidence is systematically translated into policies and programmes that improve health outcomes.

Opening the session, WHO’s Bastien Kolt outlined the agenda’s 19 priority research areas, spanning:

• Effective interventions

• Barriers and facilitators to evidence use

• Methods and standards for knowledge translation

These priorities are designed to help countries align research efforts, reduce duplication, and strengthen policy impact.

Why Knowledge Translation Matters

Professor Annette Boaz of King’s College London emphasized that strengthening research on knowledge translation is critical to ensuring that evidence does not remain underutilized.

She highlighted that despite the growing volume of global health research, systematic use of evidence in policymaking remains inconsistent, often due to institutional, political, and capacity-related challenges.

The WHO initiative aims to address these gaps by promoting structured approaches to integrating evidence into decision-making processes.

Global Perspectives: From Strategy to Implementation

A diverse panel of experts shared real-world applications of the research agenda across different contexts:

• Fréjus Thoto (Benin) discussed how the agenda is shaping institutional strategies for equitable development

• Zhaleh Abdi (Iran) highlighted its role in national research priority-setting

• Ben Miyamoto (United States) outlined how funders are aligning investments with evidence-based priorities

These case studies demonstrated how the agenda can be operationalized across policy, funding, and institutional frameworks, offering scalable models for other countries.

Tools to Support Global Uptake

WHO also introduced a suite of dissemination products to support countries and organizations in adopting the research agenda, including:

• A forthcoming WHO project report

• A preprint manuscript

• Practical resources such as a slide deck and infographic

Presented by WHO’s Tarang Sharma, these tools aim to make the agenda accessible, actionable, and adaptable across diverse settings.

A Collaborative, Demand-Driven Approach

The webinar was designed not just as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a consultative forum. Participants contributed suggestions for future sessions, ensuring that the series remains responsive to country-specific needs and challenges.

These inputs will shape upcoming discussions, with a focus on practical implementation, capacity building, and cross-country learning.

Strengthening Global Health Systems Through Evidence

The launch of the webinar series comes at a time when health systems worldwide are under pressure to deliver efficient, evidence-based solutions amid limited resources and complex challenges.

By promoting better use of data and research, WHO aims to:

• Improve policy effectiveness and accountability

• Enhance resource allocation and programme design

• Reduce duplication of research efforts

• Accelerate progress toward global health goals

Expert-Led Global Collaboration

The session was moderated by Ahmed Mandil (University of Alexandria, Egypt) and facilitated by Seilin Uhm (University of Southampton, UK), bringing together expertise from academia, international organizations, and development institutions.

The diverse group of contributors reflects the multi-stakeholder nature of evidence-informed policymaking, where collaboration across sectors is essential for impact.

Looking Ahead

As countries seek to navigate increasingly complex health challenges, WHO’s initiative positions knowledge translation as a critical pillar of modern governance and public health strategy.

The webinar series is expected to play a key role in building global capacity, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that research translates into measurable outcomes.

With continued engagement from policymakers, researchers, and funders, the initiative aims to transform how evidence is used—moving from fragmented efforts to coordinated, impactful action worldwide.