Host Country Agreement signing ceremony for the 3rd World Local Production Forum held in Abu Dhabi

A significant milestone in global health collaboration was achieved today with the signing of the Host Country Agreement for the 3rd World Local Production Forum (WLPF) by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and World Health Organization (WHO). Hosted by the Emirates Drug Establishment, the ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi in the presence of His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment. The agreement was signed by Honourable Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment of the UAE, and Dr Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division at WHO. 

In her keynote speech during the ceremony, Dr Nakatani emphasized the pivotal role of the WLPF and the importance of collaboration in advancing equitable access to quality health products through local production, stating,"The WLPF is a sustainable platform to foster global coordination, mobilize the global community into collective action and shape the direction for sustainable local production and technology transfer. This agreement is a testament of the strong partnership between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organization to promote, provide and protect public health. The agreement we sign today lays the groundwork for forward-looking, impactful discussions at the Forum this April and future collaborations."

Since its inception in 2021, the WLPF has been bridging the gaps in global manufacturing capacity and supply chains, particularly those exposed during COVID-19, and addressing critical global health challenges. The WLPF has been driving sustainability in local production and innovation, fostering partnerships, and empowering countries and regions to enhance their manufacturing capabilities and improve access and health security.

The 3rd WLPF in Abu Dhabi from 7–9 April 2025 will convene over 1000 high-level delegates from governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, international organizations, and other stakeholders. Under the theme “Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security and Sustainable Development”, the forum will stimulate dialogue and catalyse collaborations to overcome bottlenecks in sustainable local production, technology transfers and pandemic preparedness.

Today’s ceremony marks a key step forward in WHO’s ongoing efforts to support Member States in strengthening local production to improve timely, equitable access and build resilient health systems.

Hosting the WLPF underscores the UAE’s strategic role as a global hub for healthcare innovation and sustainable development. His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), highlights the significance of this partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). (Source: The Exchange)

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) (back, right), and Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Vice Chairman of EDE's Board of Directors, attending the Host Country Agreement Signing Ceremony. Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for the Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division at WHO (front, left), and Honourable Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment (front, right), presenting the jointly signed Host Country Agreement for the 3rd World Local Production Forum, in April 2025 in Abu Dhabi. (Source: MENAFN)

Dr Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for the Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division at WHO, delivering a keynote speech during the Host Country Agreement Signing Ceremony for the 3rd World Local Production Forum.

For more information, please contact the Local Production and Assistance Unit (LPA), the WLPF Secretariat, at: localproduction@who.int