The 16th Annual Meeting of the WHO Collaborating Centers in Bioethics took place on November 26–27, 2025, at the Yonsei University Institute for Medical Law and Ethics in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The event brought together experts and representatives from around the world to discuss current and future bioethics initiatives within the framework of the World Health Organization.
During the meeting, representatives from the 13 currently designated WHO Collaborating Centers, which include institutions from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa, met with delegates from the respective WHO regional offices. Each Center presented progress reports detailing their activities, ensuring alignment with the terms of reference established by the World Health Organization. These presentations highlighted the diverse and impactful contributions of the Centers to global bioethics efforts.
The Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine participated in the working group drafting of the upcoming WHO Handbook for Clinical Ethics Committees. Additionally, the Institute contributed to the development of the published WHO guidelines on the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence in health organizations. These guidelines are now available to the public and serve as a reference for ethical AI practices in health settings.
The meeting concluded with a strategic discussion identifying key areas where the WHO Collaborating Centers will continue to provide technical support to the World Health Organization. Priority areas include strengthening capacity in research ethics and scientific integrity, particularly for the Western Pacific Region (WPRO), reviewing WHO standards for the accreditation of Research Ethics Committees, and developing guidance for research involving genome modification, gene-drive approaches, and other emerging genetic engineering technologies.
