The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a global network of regional training centres for biomanufacturing across all six of its regions, aiming to strengthen the workforce needed to produce vaccines, biotherapeutics and other biological products. This initiative is part of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative launched in 2023, designed to address critical skills gaps and help countries convert technological progress into sustainable local production capacity.
The selected centres were chosen through a rigorous global process and will function as part of a coordinated international network. They will provide hands-on, region-specific training aligned with local regulatory systems and needs, while collaborating with academia and industry to expand expertise and foster cross-country cooperation. These centres will work alongside the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing in South Korea to ensure consistent standards, quality and accountability.
WHO emphasises that building a skilled and geographically distributed workforce is essential for improving equitable access to health products and strengthening global health security. The initiative reflects a broader shift towards more resilient and decentralised manufacturing systems, enabling countries not only to produce essential health technologies but also to sustain and scale them effectively.
The programme also supports global commitments to enhance local production of medicines and health technologies, contributing to long-term resilience beyond emergency responses. By investing in workforce development, WHO aims to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare products and better prepare countries to respond to future health crises.
