Global Health EDCTP3 supports global clinical trial strengthening initiative

The collective statement strongly reinforces the use of the WHO Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials as the international benchmark for the design, conduct, and reporting of rigorous, high-impact studies. This collective effort seeks to improve the quality, transparency and relevance of clinical trials around the world by promoting best practices and sustainable national infrastructure.

‘Strengthening the clinical trials ecosystem is a shared priority for Europe and Africa.’

Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3 Dr Michael Makanga

Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3, highlights the shared commitment underpinning the 2025 Joint Statement: ‘Strengthening the clinical trials ecosystem is a shared priority for Europe and Africa. As one of the major funders of cross-continental clinical research, Global Health EDCTP3 fully supports WHO’s call to enhance trial design and implementation, integrate trials within national health systems, prioritise unmet medical needs and populations, and ensure meaningful patient and community involvement - all essential components for improving public health outcomes and increasing rigour and trust in clinical trials.’

Benefits of strengthened clinical trial standards

The statement promotes clinical trials that are integrated within established and sustained national trial infrastructure, ensuring that research addresses local health priorities and unmet needs. By embedding patient involvement and community engagement throughout the trial lifecycle, the research becomes more ethical and relevant to the populations it aims to benefit.

Improved transparency, including timely public registration and reporting of trial results, reduces research waste and supports evidence-based decision-making. Encouraging standardised data protocols and open access to trial materials also facilitates collaboration and maximises impact across the global research community.

Supporting sustainable and rigorous trials: Global Health EDCTP3’s strategy

Global Health EDCTP3 is fully aligned with the joint statement through its activities and funded projects. This programme funds projects developing diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for issues like tuberculosis, malaria and epidemic preparedness, while fostering rigorous trial design and inclusive participation.

Global Health EDCTP3 also supports capacity-building initiatives and regional partnerships to strengthen local clinical trial ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa. These efforts contribute to the collective goals of achieving more effective, timely and equitable clinical research internationally.

Additionally, the EDCTP programmes and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation have contributed to the development of these guidelines. The UK Department of Health provided funding via the EDCTP Association to support staff costs and the regional consultation meetings that informed the guidance.

Promoting multilingual access to best practices

Global Health EDCTP3 recognises the importance of inclusivity and encourages the dissemination of the WHO Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials translations into Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Making this essential resource available in French and Portuguese facilitates broader access for researchers, policymakers, and communities in French- and Portuguese-speaking regions. 

On 9 October at 14:00 (CET), the WHO will launch the French version of the guidance at the webinar ‘Renforcement des écosystèmes des essais cliniques’. The event will be interpreted in French and English. Global Health EDCTP3 Senior Scientific Officer Dr Jean-Marie Vianney Habarugira will be speaking. Registrations are open.

Looking ahead

The 2025 joint statement provides a roadmap for funders and researchers to advance clinical research quality and transparency. Coordinated efforts that follow these recommendations can help build stronger clinical trial systems that serve all populations fairly and efficiently.