Please be informed that the previous Open call for Expression of Interest (EOI) has been amended and updated, with immediate effect. This includes extending the deadline and providing an additional opportunity for interested parties to secure floorspace in the marketplace during the 2nd WLPF. We will continue to accept EOIs for one more spot in the marketplace until 05 September 2023.
Background
In response to the request from Member States, WHO launched the World Local Production Forum: Enhancing access to medicines and other health technologies (WLPF) initiative in 2021, a regular global platform to foster discussions and partnerships in strengthening sustainable quality local production and technology transfer to improve access to quality, safe and effective health products and technologies, and to safeguard global, regional, and national health security, including during health emergencies. The Local Production and Assistance Unit is serving as the Secretariat of the WLPF.
The first WLPF was held virtually in June 2021 with the participation of high-level delegates from over 100 Member States. The 2nd WLPF will take place in the Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, from 6 to 8 November 2023. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is the hosting country for the 2nd WLPF, and the forum will be held in the World Forum The Hague. The focus of this forum is to leverage regional and global partnerships for local production and technology transfer for timely and equitable access worldwide. The forum will explore collective strategies and actions to enhance impact on access and global health security.
Expected Participation
The 2nd WLPF is expected to physically convene up to 800 high level participants from all over the world and it will allow a broad number of virtual participants to attend. Participants will come from diverse sectors, such as:
- relevant ministers and senior-level government officials;
- leaders and representatives of international organizations and other development partners;
- senior representatives from international and regional finance institutions;
- representatives of the private sector and civil societies; and
- technology and subject matter experts from academia, industry, and other institutions.
Format of the Forum
The second WLPF will be a 3-day event and will be structured with plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops and showcases with interactive participation from the audience. There will be opportunities for participants to interact and network to foster partnerships, collaborations, and synergies.
Floorspace for networking and marketplace
The Forum has reserved a limited number of floorspaces for strategic partners to exhibit and discuss their products, services, projects and initiatives related to local production and technology transfer with attendees of the Forum. The networking and marketplace areas will be open during coffee breaks, lunch times and other idle sessions of the Forum. Participants and interested visitors can engage with exhibitors through stands/presentations, roundtables, and short pitches.
Small rooms for side events
The "Small room for side events" refers to a dedicated space provided during the 2nd WLPF. This space, consisting of 3 to 4 small rooms, is made available for interested partners to conduct additional events alongside the main program. Apart from the designated areas for exhibitors, presentations, roundtables, and short pitches, these small rooms serve as venues for side events. The side events are scheduled exclusively during lunchtime on day 1 and day 2 of the Forum, and their duration should not exceed 45 minutes.
Open call for EOIs
The WLPF Secretariat is pleased to invite all interested strategic partners actively working on strengthening local production and technology transfer of medicines and other health technologies to submit their expression of interest (EOI) as per the below details and schedule. The EOI is intended to identify and shortlist potential and eligible partners to secure a space in the networking, marketplace floorspaces and small rooms for side events during the 2nd WLPF (6 – 8 November 2023).
General requirements
- Interested partners will plan, organize, and hold innovative networking and marketplace events on the sidelines of the 2nd WLPF to initiate new initiatives, strengthen partnerships and collaborations with and within the industry and hence promote local production and technology transfer of quality assured health products to improve equitable access.
- Interested partners should demonstrate the following:
a. Agrees to act in accordance with the policies, principles and norms of WHO and based on the WLPF theme and the partner’s mandate and expertise;
b. Aims to assist WHO to achieve the objectives of the WLPF in promoting sustainable local production and technology transfer;
c. Has demonstrated commitment to support local production strengthening activities;
d. Agrees to work and communicate cooperatively to sustain coordination and synergy in order to achieve efficiency and maximum results of the Forum;
e. Is able to self-fund participation/attendance in the WLPF activities and meetings;
- The planned side event should be well designed to meet the standards and expectations of a global forum.
- The Expression of Interest should include a detailed description of how the partner's capabilities, experience, mandate, and expertise align with the requirements specified in this document.
- The Application document should be signed by duly authorized person and should comprise of the following:
a. Cover Letter with the subject expression of interest to secure a floorspace at the networking and marketplace area on the side lines of the 2nd WLPF.
b. A short descriptive concept note indicating the background, rationale, objectives and description of the intended side event, the amount of floorspace you require and any special requests or requirements you may have.
c. To apply for a small room for side events during the Forum, interested applicants must provide details on the purpose and format of their proposed events, along with an explanation of how the side events will be conducted, enabling the evaluation of their feasibility and their compatibility with the WLPF's concept and schedule.
Who can express interest?
The WLPF Secretariat welcomes expressions of interest from partners who want to collaborate with WHO and can provide strategic support to the successful planning, organization, and implementation of the WLPF within the boundaries of their mandate, expertise, processes, and procedures. These includes:
- Signatory organizations of the first interagency statement on local production and technology transfer;
- Intergovernmental and FENSA cleared organizations; and
- Other organizations following appropriate due diligence process
Submitting your expression of interest
EOIs should be submitted to Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head of the Local Production and Assistance Unit at localproduction@who.int not later than 05 September 2023. The subject of the email should be “EOI: Request for networking and marketplace floorspace at the 2nd WLPF”.
Based on the above information and requirements, the WLPF Secretariat will draw up the shortlist of partners. Only short-listed partners will be contacted and invited for further action and implementation.
WHO reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest, to annul the open call process and reject all expressions of interest at any time without incurring any liability to the affected applicant or applicants and without any obligation to inform the affected applicant or applicants of the grounds for WHO's action.
If you have any questions, or require further information about this “Call for EOI”, please write to localproduction@who.int well before the applicable deadline.