Indonesia Becomes First Developing Country to Earn WHO WLA Status

Jakarta: Indonesia has become the first developing country to be recognized as a World Health Organization (WHO) Listed Authority (WLA) for vaccine regulatory functions, following the inclusion of its Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) in December 2025.

BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said the designation places Indonesia in a strategic position within the global vaccine ecosystem and confirms the strength of the country’s national vaccine regulatory system.

“Global recognition through BPOM’s designation as a WLA was not achieved overnight,” Ikrar said in Jakarta on Sunday, as quoted by Antara on February 1, 2026.

“It is the result of consistent policy implementation, strengthened human resources, transparent governance, and a sustained commitment to continuous improvement,” Ikrar added.

Ikrar noted that BPOM’s guiding principles—aiming high, remaining grounded, and staying deeply rooted—form the foundation for balancing international regulatory standards with concrete public health protection.

The WLA status reflects global confidence that Indonesia’s vaccine regulatory system meets international benchmarks for robustness, transparency, and reliability.

However, Ikrar stressed that the recognition must translate into tangible public health benefits, particularly in ensuring vaccine quality, safety, and availability.

“The WLA status is not the final destination, but the beginning of a greater responsibility,” he said.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Bobur Alimov welcomed the milestone, saying the designation significantly enhances Indonesia’s credibility in global health regulation.

With the WLA status, BPOM reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a credible, adaptive, and influential regulatory authority at the national, regional, and international levels.