Rebuilding Research Capacity in Conflict-Affected Regions

The situation in Iraq mirrors challenges faced by other conflict-affected regions (from parts of Africa to areas of the Middle East and Eastern Europe) where instability has halted research ecosystems. Conflict is preventing research in unique demographic and epidemiological characteristics, that could meaningfully enrich global clinical development. Without stable institutions, ethical oversight bodies, trained personnel, and secure research facilities, clinical trials cannot be safely or ethically conducted.

It is vital to recognise the scientific cost of conflict and the long-term implications of excluding entire regions from the clinical development ecosystem. Recognising the scientific cost of conflict requires coordinated action from national governments, global health diplomacy actors, and the broader clinical research community. Governments in conflict‑affected and post‑conflict states have a central role in rebuilding regulatory institutions, restoring health infrastructure, and creating environments where ethical and scientifically robust research can eventually take place. At the same time, global health diplomacy through multilateral agencies, international partnerships, and cross‑border scientific cooperation can help bridge gaps that fragile states cannot address alone. These efforts enable countries emerging from conflict to re‑enter the scientific landscape, contribute diverse population data, and participate meaningfully in clinical development.