The new membership includes experts in public health, epidemiology, biomedical research, health systems, ageing, engineering, precision medicine and emerging technologies. The council also includes representatives from every WHO region and two youth members. The appointments form part of WHO’s regular membership renewal process.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pace of scientific advancement is creating new opportunities and challenges for global health. “The pace of scientific discovery is accelerating at an extraordinary rate, from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to advances such as gene editing, synthetic biology and robotics, to new approaches for disease prevention, diagnosis and care,” Tedros said.
Tedros said WHO is strengthening its ability to identify transformative scientific developments and ensure that innovations translate into better health outcomes worldwide.
The Science Council serves as WHO’s principal external advisory body on high-priority scientific issues, breakthrough innovations and emerging technologies with the potential to reshape healthcare.
The body provides independent scientific advice and helps the organisation anticipate developments that could influence public health policy in the years ahead.
According to WHO, the council will support efforts to identify emerging health risks, scientific opportunities and future trends that may affect global health systems.
The organisation said the new membership reflects its commitment to scientific excellence, geographical diversity, gender balance and youth participation.
The inclusion of two youth representatives, selected through the WHO Youth Council, is intended to ensure that younger generations have a voice in discussions about scientific developments that will shape the future of healthcare.
WHO established both the Science Division and the Science Council as part of its broader transformation programme aimed at strengthening the organisation’s capacity to provide timely, evidence-based and independent advice to member states.
The organisation said these structures are designed to ensure WHO remains at the forefront of scientific developments and is able to translate new research and innovations into practical public health policy and action.
As advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, gene editing and precision medicine accelerate, WHO said the Science Council will play an increasingly important role in helping governments and health authorities respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–
