24 representatives from 13 Pacific island countries1 came together in Nadi, Fiji, on 1 May 2025 for a two-and-a-half-day workshop aimed at strengthening research ethics governance in the Pacific island countries (PICs).
The first of its kind in the Region, the workshop was co-organised by the Pacific Academy of Sciences (PAS), the Pacific Community (SPC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). It brought together members of a national ethics committee, officials overseeing research in health ministries, and senior researchers experienced in health research ethics. Experts from WHO collaborating centers on bioethics, the WHO technical advisory group on genomics, and research institutions in the Pacific also participated.
"Health research is not a luxury but a necessity. It is a pathway to effective health systems, better decision-making, and improved health for our people." said Dr Saia Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific in his opening remarks.
