As countries seek to strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies and improve access to essential health products, local and regional production is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of equitable access, resilient health systems and global health security.

At a high-level side event during the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, ministers, policymakers, manufacturers and global health partners gathered to identify priority actions to advance the local production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and medical devices, particularly across low- and middle-income countries. Co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia and the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), with support from international partners, the event also marked an important milestone on the road to the Fourth World Local Production Forum (WLPF), which will take place in Bali, Indonesia, in 2027.

From pandemic lessons to greater self-reliance

Opening the event, H.E. Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia, reflected on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of ensuring more equitable access to quality-assured health products.

"I feel that this should not be repeated again. It is very unfair to play God and say that a certain country cannot get access. Only the rich countries have access," Minister Sadikin said. "Indonesia is very committed not only to develop local capability, but also to share this capability with other countries."

The Minister highlighted Indonesia's investments in vaccine manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, active pharmaceutical ingredients and plasma-derived medicinal products, emphasizing the importance of technology transfer and international collaboration.

Representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening and diversifying manufacturing capacity as a foundation for more resilient and equitable health systems.

"Geographically diversified production is a strategic investment in both resilience and equity," said Dr Nakatani. "It is a crucial foundation for continuity of supply, access to universal health coverage, national preparedness and global health security."

Dr Nakatani highlighted that sustainable local production depends not only on manufacturing facilities, but also on strong regulatory systems, skilled workforces, innovation, financing and effective partnerships.

Building stronger manufacturing ecosystems

Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head of WHO's Products Policy, Access and Manufacturing Support Unit and Secretariat of the World Local Production Forum, moderated the policy dialogue and highlighted the role of the WLPF as WHO's flagship platform for fostering dialogue, partnerships and action to advance sustainable local production and equitable access to health products. The discussion brought together senior representatives from Brazil, the Netherlands, Nigeria and South Africa to share national experiences and policy priorities for strengthening local production.

Despite different national contexts, participants identified common priorities for action, including technology transfer, workforce development, innovation, sustainable financing, regulatory convergence, predictable demand and stronger regional manufacturing networks.

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was that achieving greater self-reliance does not mean working in isolation. Rather, it requires stronger regional and global partnerships that facilitate technology transfer, knowledge-sharing and sustainable market development. Participants highlighted the growing importance of South-South collaboration in strengthening manufacturing capacity and addressing shared public health challenges.

"Boosting local production and diversifying manufacturing can benefit everyone. Countries gain greater health sovereignty and resilience, while patients benefit from more reliable access to health products and services," said H.E. Ms Sophie Hermans, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"When we speak about local production, we are not only talking about industrial policy," said H.E. Mr Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva. "We are speaking about equity. We are speaking about resilience. We are speaking about people."

The event also featured a discussion on strengthening vaccine manufacturing ecosystems across the Global South. Representatives from Gavi, Africa CDC, the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative, Bio Farma Indonesia and Biovac South Africa explored approaches to overcoming barriers related to financing, technology transfer, regulatory systems and sustainable market demand. Emerging initiatives such as the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), pooled procurement mechanisms and collaborative manufacturing networks were highlighted as examples of progress.

The road to Bali 2027

A key milestone of the event was Indonesia's official announcement that Bali will host the Fourth World Local Production Forum in 2027. As preparations begin, stakeholders are increasingly focused on translating commitments into measurable outcomes.

The discussions reinforced a shared vision: strengthening local and regional production is essential not only for improving access to quality-assured health products, but also for advancing health sovereignty, pandemic preparedness and global health security. WLPF 2027 will provide an opportunity to showcase progress, strengthen partnerships and accelerate action towards more resilient, sustainable and geographically diversified health product manufacturing ecosystems worldwide.

From left to right: Dr Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, WHO; H.E. Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia; H.E. Ms Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands; and H.E. Mr Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva, during the WHA79 side event on advancing local production for equitable access, resilient health systems and global health security.