As rapid advances in biotechnology, genomics, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence and related life sciences continue to reshape global health and innovation, countries face a growing need to manage emerging risks without slowing scientific progress. Tools and knowledge developed for beneficial purposes can also pose risks if misused accidentally, inadvertently or deliberately. The World Health Organization (WHO) is responding by supporting Member States with practical, evidence-informed, adaptive, agile and forward-looking approaches that strengthen safety, security and responsible oversight while enabling innovation. Through a combination of global guidance, foresight, capacity-building and implementation support, WHO is supporting countries to anticipate emerging challenges and develop governance systems that remain effective in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape. These efforts help countries navigate a rapidly changing scientific landscape by ensuring that advances in the life sciences can be harnessed safely, securely and responsibly.
From global guidance to practical action
WHO has developed a comprehensive package of resources to help Member States translate responsible life sciences principles into action. At its core is the WHO Global guidance framework for the responsible use of the life sciences: mitigating biorisks and governing dual-use research, released in 2022 as guidance to mitigate biorisks while enabling scientific progress. Building on this foundation, WHO further strengthened the package in 2025 with a multilingual WHO Academy training course, which supports policymakers, researchers, biosafety professionals and institutional leaders in strengthening dual-use research governance and responsible innovation. To date, the course has enrolled more than 1000 learners.
BRIET provides a new implementation pathway
The recent release of the Biorisk Implementation and Evaluation Tool (BRIET) marks an important shift from guidance to implementation. This web-based self-assessment tool helps countries and institutions map stakeholders, identify strengths and gaps, assess risks, prioritize actions and generate tailored recommendations to strengthen biorisk management and governance of dual-use research and dual-use research of concern.
BRIET also supports progress on biosafety and biosecurity capacities under the International Health Regulations (2005) and can inform national health security planning. By helping users measure progress and track improvements over time, it closes a key implementation gap and supports evidence-based decision-making.
Foresight and evidence to inform governance
WHO is also strengthening the evidence base for responsible governance through foresight and strategic analysis of emerging developments in the life sciences. Recent and forthcoming publications examines topics such neurotechnology, mirror biology and mirror life, practical guidance for stakeholders, AI-biology convergence and their dual-use implications as well as the futures of dual-use research across One Health. These resources help policymakers and stakeholders anticipate change, identify governance needs early and support informed decision-making. By combining foresight, evidence and practical implementation tools, WHO is helping Member States anticipate emerging challenges, strengthen preparedness and develop governance approaches that can adapt alongside scientific and technological advances.
Country pilots show how implementation works in practice
WHO resources are now being tested and adapted through country implementation, generating useful lessons for wider applications. Uganda was among the first countries to apply the WHO Framework in 2024, followed by Malaysia and India, where piloting is expected to conclude by the end of 2026.
- Lessons from Uganda’s top-down pilot, published in 2025, highlighted the value of designating a national lead authority with the convening power to bring stakeholders together, build cross-sector ownership and drive adoption of priority actions. The pilot offered practical insights into how the WHO Framework can support governance strengthening and national-level implementation.
- The ongoing whole-of-government pilot in Malaysia comes at a strategic time as ASEAN advances its Biosafety and Biosecurity Strategy and Plan of Action 2026–2030. Launched through a kick-off workshop in April 2026, the pilot has brought together diverse stakeholders to assess biorisks management and dual-use research governance capacities, identify national priorities, and strengthen coordinated action. The WHO Academy course and BRIET play a key role in supporting national assessment, planning and capacity-strengthening efforts to advance DURC governance and the responsible use of the life sciences.
- In India, WHO is supporting institutional-level pilots in which research institutions and laboratory networks are applying the Framework, the WHO Academy course and BRIET to strengthen DUR governance systems, improve risk-based decision-making and document lessons for future scale-up.
Together, these pilots are beginning to show how responsible governance can move from global guidance to practical implementation across diverse national and institutional contexts. They also point to the importance of national leadership, cross-sector ownership, appropriate lead authorities with convening power, and institutional systems that can turn guidance into sustained action.
Global partnerships are essential
Sustaining this progress requires strong global partnerships. Through collaboration with governments, international organizations, scientific and academic communities, research funders, publishers, industry, the security sector, educators, technical networks and youth representatives, WHO is expanding awareness, skills and national and institutional capacities worldwide.
These collaborations promote knowledge exchange, shared learning, increased synergies and effective governance approaches for emerging technologies and the responsible use of the life sciences. They are supported by global dialogues, regional workshops, online learning, fellowship programmes and technical cooperation.
Looking ahead
Across these efforts, the message is clear: effective governance does not hinder innovation; it enables responsible innovation. By combining global guidance, strategic foresight, practical tools, country implementation and strategic partnerships, WHO is supporting Member States and partners build collaborative, proportionate and fit-for-purpose governance systems that support scientific progress while ensuring risks are responsibly identified, assessed and managed. As science and technology continue to evolve, foresight, evidence generation and international collaboration will remain essential to ensuring that governance approaches can adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges.
This work also contributes to broader WHO efforts to strengthen health security, preparedness and resilience in the face of rapidly evolving scientific and technological developments. Early implementation experience suggests that WHO's approach is helping countries and institutions identify governance gaps, strengthen coordination mechanisms and prioritize actions for responsible oversight.
Looking ahead, WHO will continue expanding implementation support, refining tools based on country experience and strengthening partnerships to help countries, institutions and other stakeholders develop sustainable governance systems that maximize the benefits of innovation while responsibly managing risks.
As sciences and related technologies continue to evolve, the WHO Framework, WHO Academy course and BRIET offer a practical pathway from awareness to action. Emerging piloting experience shows that, when global guidance is matched with national and institutional leadership, multisectoral collaboration and practical tools, meaningful progress on responsible life sciences and dual-use research governance is within reach.
These activities were implemented with the support of our partners, Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program, United Kingdom International Biosecurity Programme (IBSP), and Coefficient Giving.