The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed 21 leading scientists and experts to its science council to help shape future health breakthroughs.

The renewed council brings together experts from various disciplines, regions and generations, including public health, epidemiology, biomedical research, health systems, ageing, engineering, precision medicine and emerging technologies.

The council includes representation from all WHO regions, as well as two youth members.

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said this in a statement on Thursday, noting the accelerating pace of scientific discovery in areas with implications 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.

“WHO is strengthening its ability to look ahead, identify transformative developments, and ensure that the benefits of scientific progress are translated into better health for people everywhere,” he said.

The WHO Science Council will continue to serve as the organisation’s principal external advisory body on high-priority scientific issues, emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations with the potential to transform health outcomes worldwide.

By providing strategic and independent scientific advice and anticipating high-impact advances, the council will support WHO in identifying emerging health trends, risks and opportunities.

The council will also help ensure that the organisation remains at the forefront of scientific advances with implications for global health in the decades ahead.

WHO said the membership reflected its commitment to scientific excellence, geographic diversity, gender balance and youth inclusion.

The council’s two youth representatives, identified through the WHO Youth Council, will bring youth perspectives to discussions on scientific developments that will help shape the future of global health.

WHO established the science division and science council as part of its transformation initiative to strengthen its capacity to provide timely, independent and evidence-based advice to member states in response to the unprecedented pace of scientific progress.

Together, the mechanisms are expected to help WHO remain at the forefront of scientific developments and translate emerging knowledge into public health policy and action.

(NAN)