The Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with WHO, conducted a national consultation on research and development from 6 to 7 November 2012 to discuss the recommendations made by the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination. The national consultation identified several suggestions for moving the research and development agenda forward at both the national and global level. A national team headed by H.E. the Under Secretary for Health Development shared suggestions at an open-ended meeting for Member States.
The Consultative Group was established in response to the global concern that insufficient resources are being devoted to research and development to address treatments for diseases that mainly affect developing countries. After a thorough study of the global situation, the Group developed proposals related to research coordination, financial and monitoring of research and development expenditures. Their report was discussed at the World Health Assembly in May 2012 which endorsed a resolution recommending further discussions through national consultations and Regional Committees.