WHO convenes global biomanufacturing partners to advance workforce development and local production

Representatives from seven WHO-designated Regional Training Centres (RTCs) for Biomanufacturing, the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B), the WHO Academy and WHO regional offices gathered in Geneva from 3 to 5 June 2026 to strengthen collaboration and accelerate implementation of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative (BWTI).

The three-day Synergizing Biomanufacturing Workforce Development Conference marked the first in-person convening of key partners under the Initiative since the designation of the RTCs earlier this year. The meeting provided a platform to align priorities, share expertise and advance a coordinated approach to workforce development in support of sustainable local production of vaccines, biotherapeutics and other health products.

Opening the conference, Dr Jicui Dong, Head of WHO's Product Policies, Access and Manufacturing Support Unit and Secretariat of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative, highlighted the growing importance of workforce development as countries seek to strengthen manufacturing capacity and improve access to critical health products.

"Building sustainable biomanufacturing capacity requires more than infrastructure and technology. It requires a skilled workforce, strong institutions and enduring partnerships,” Dr Dong said. “By bringing together the regional training centres, governments, academia, industry and other stakeholders, we are building the foundations needed to translate innovation into sustainable local production, stronger health systems and greater health security."

The WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative was established to strengthen workforce capacity for sustainable biomanufacturing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The Initiative brings together three complementary pillars: WHO capacity-building programmes, the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing hosted by the Republic of Korea, and a network of Regional Training Centres working across all WHO regions. Together, they aim to expand access to high-quality, competency-based training aligned with international standards and regional needs.

A key milestone of the conference was the introduction of the seven Regional Training Centres, which will function as a regional network for workforce development, training delivery, and knowledge exchange. These centres will complement the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing by delivering needs-based capacity-building initiatives for the regions.

Participants discussed how the centres, as well as the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing, can work together as a coordinated global network while responding to regional priorities and contexts. The RTCs represent institutions from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Ireland, Senegal and South Africa and collectively cover all six WHO regions.

Group photo featuring representatives of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative (BWTI) Secretariat, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the WHO Academy and the seven WHO-designated Regional Training Centres (RTCs), during the official launch of the Regional Training Centres under the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland, 3 June 2026.

Throughout the conference, discussions focused on how to strengthen collaboration across the network and support the long-term sustainability of workforce development efforts. Participants explored governance arrangements, operational modalities and mechanisms for cooperation between WHO, the RTCs and the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing. Training-of-trainers sessions were also conducted to strengthen regional instructional capacity and support the delivery of high-quality learning programmes worldwide.

Representatives from the Republic of Korea highlighted the achievements of the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing since its designation by WHO in 2022. To date, the Hub has trained nearly 4 000 participants from 79 countries through online, classroom-based and hands-on training programmes, helping to strengthen technical expertise across the biomanufacturing workforce.

WHO also presented progress achieved through its broader workforce development activities. Since 2020, more than 14 000 professionals from over 118 Member States – including manufacturers, regulators and government officials – have participated in WHO-supported learning programmes covering manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory systems and technology transfer. These efforts have helped build competencies across the biomanufacturing value chain while fostering a growing global community of practice.

Participants emphasized that workforce development must evolve alongside rapid advances in science and technology. Discussions highlighted the growing need for expertise in areas such as advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalization, artificial intelligence, regulatory affairs, technology transfer, quality management and supply chain systems. The conference also underscored the important role of partnerships between academia and industry in preparing the next generation of professionals for an increasingly complex and innovation-driven biomanufacturing landscape.

The WHO Academy presented its work on lifelong learning and competency-based education, highlighting opportunities to strengthen harmonized learning approaches and quality standards across the network. Participants agreed that collaboration between training institutions, industry, governments and international partners will be critical to ensuring workforce development keeps pace with evolving public health needs and technological advances.

As countries continue to invest in local production capabilities, strengthening workforce capacity is increasingly recognized as a prerequisite for sustainable impact. By connecting regional expertise, global partnerships and competency-based learning, the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative aims to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting resilient manufacturing systems, improving access to health products and contributing to global health security.

Group photo of participants attending the Regional Training Centres (RTCs) Launch Meeting under the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland, 3-5 June 2026

Notes to editors

The WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative (BWTI) was established to support workforce development for sustainable biomanufacturing and local production, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The Initiative is built on three complementary pillars: WHO capacity-building programmes, the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) hosted by the Republic of Korea, and the WHO Regional Training Centres.

The Synergizing Biomanufacturing Workforce Development Conference took place from 3–5 June 2026 at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea. The conference brought together representatives from WHO headquarters and regional offices, the WHO Academy, GTH-B and the seven Regional Training Centres to strengthen collaboration and advance implementation of the Initiative.

The seven institutions serving as RTCs are:

• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (South Africa)
• Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal)
• Oswaldo Cruz Foundation – Fiocruz (Brazil)
• Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (India)
• National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (Ireland)
• Center for Continuing Professional Development, Egyptian Drug Authority (Egypt)
• Peking University (China)