The lack of access to essential healthcare technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the issues of inequity in healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The 74th World Health Assembly adopted the resolution WHA74.6 on strengthening local production of medicines and other health technologies to improve access, signalling the important role local production plays in improving timely, equitable access and safeguarding health security. In this context, the Local Production and Assistance Unit, in the Regulatory and Prequalification Department Access to Medicines and Health Products Division from WHO, launched the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) initiative, providing a regular global platform to foster synergies 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 s