On 23 March 2026, more than 150 researchers, policy-makers, knowledge brokers and practitioners from 40 countries joined a webinar hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to examine how the Global research agenda on knowledge translation and evidence-informed policy-making can be tailored to regional and national realities, according to a press release by WHO. The session was the second in a series organized by WHO’s Science for Health Department. Speakers underscored that research agendas matter most when implemented and adapted to local contexts. The webinar drew on experiences from Brazil and WHO’s work on health, migration and displacement. It aimed to advance practical uptake of global priorities at the country level.
The Global research agenda was co-developed between 2023 and 2025 with more than 130 experts from nearly 40 countries. It sets out 19 cross-sectoral research priorities intended to narrow the gap between evidence and policy. Sarah Charnaud, who facilitates research priority-setting at WHO, moderated the session. She highlighted the importance of adapting the agenda to regional and national contexts. Her introduction framed the discussion around lessons from country and thematic applications.
Bastien Kolt, Technical Officer in WHO’s Science for Health Department and lead coordinator of the agenda-setting initiative, outlined progress to date. He emphasized that current efforts focus not only on dissemination but also on mobilizing partners and funders and supporting local adaptation where there is demand. Kolt also referenced ongoing work with academic partners to examine barriers, facilitators and effective approaches for implementing global research agendas. Patrícia de Campos Couto, General Coordinator of Evidence and Health Research at Brazil’s Ministry of Health, described how Brazil is using the agenda to inform its national research priorities. She outlined a structured process to qualify and prioritize research demands so that limited resources can better support evidence-informed policy.
Miriam Orcutt, global health physician and former WHO Technical Officer, shared lessons from adapting global research agendas in different settings, drawing on WHO’s work on health, migration and displacement. She stressed the importance of local demand, inclusive interest-holder engagement, integration into existing structures, and sustained funding and follow-up. “What is the point of a research agenda if it is not implemented, and if it is not contextualised to the regional and national context?” Orcutt asked. Speakers also underscored the need for collaboration across academia, policy and practice. They pointed to sustained investment as essential if research priorities are to shape policy decisions and strengthen health systems.
The webinar highlighted a special issue of Health Research Policy and Systems entitled Advancing Research Prioritization, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Implementation Strategies. The collection invites contributions on research prioritization frameworks, methodologies and real-world applications, with submissions open until 8 July. The webinar forms part of WHO’s broader efforts to strengthen implementation of the Global research agenda. It also supports countries and regions in adapting research priorities to their specific policy needs and health system realities. The initiative continues WHO’s engagement with partners to translate global priorities into practical roadmaps for action.
