WHO Academy: annual report 2025

Overview

The WHO Academy annual report 2025 documents a year of significant growth and transformation in lifelong learning for health, highlighting expanded access to online, blended and in-person training, strengthened partnerships and continued support for WHO staff development. Following the launch of its online learning platform in late 2024, the Academy registered more than 80 000 learners from 196 countries and areas, an elevenfold increase over the previous year, with over 70% from low- and middle-income countries. Its learning catalogue expanded to more than 400 WHO courses available in 24 languages.

The report highlights advances in multilingual learning, simulation-based training and health workforce capacity-building, including programmes in emergency care, digital health and primary health care leadership. A major milestone was the publication of the WHO Academy quality standards, establishing requirements for accessible, inclusive and competency-based learning. The report also describes efforts to strengthen WHO staff development and outlines the Academy’s evolving role as a global centre of excellence for learning and health workforce strengthening.