On 17 December 2025, WHO convened the first webinar in a new series focused on applying the global research agenda on knowledge translation and evidence‑informed policy-making in practice. The event brought together 120 participants from 38 countries, representing researchers, policy-makers, funders and knowledge brokers. The session explored how the research agenda can help align priorities, strengthen capacity and improve the use of evidence in decision‑making.
Moderated by Ahmed Mandil and facilitated by Seilin Uhm, the webinar opened with an overview of the agenda presented by WHO’s Bastien Kolt, who highlighted its 19 priority research areas across interventions, barriers and facilitators, and methods and standards. Annette Boaz explained why strengthening research on knowledge translation is essential for ensuring that evidence is systematically used to inform policies and programmes.
A panel of speakers – Fréjus Thoto, Zhaleh Abdi, and Ben Miyamoto – shared practical examples of how the global research agenda is informing institutional strategies, national priority‑setting, and approaches to funding. The event concluded with an overview of the global research agenda dissemination products presented by WHO’s Tarang Sharma, including the forthcoming WHO project report, a preprint manuscript, and a slide deck and infographic designed to support country and organizational use.
As the first installment in the series, the webinar also gathered participants’ suggestions for future sessions. These inputs will guide upcoming discussions to ensure the series responds to country needs and supports the practical uptake of the research agenda.
The event marked an important step in shifting from developing the global research agenda to actively implementing it, helping countries and partners strengthen the use of evidence and reduce duplication of research efforts.
Contributors and speakers
- Ahmed Mandil, Professor, High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Egypt
- Annette Boaz, Professor of Health and Social Care, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- Bastien Kolt, Technical Officer, Science for Health Department, WHO, Genva, Switzerland
- Ben Miyamoto, Manager, The Pew Charitable Trusts/Impact Funders Forum, United States
- Fréjus Thoto, Executive Director, African Center for Equitable Development (ACED), Benin
- Seilin Uhm, Senior Policy Associate, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- Tarang Sharma, Technical Officer, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Zhaleh Abdi, Director of Research and Education, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Iran