JAKARTA, Feb 2 — Indonesia has become the first developing country to receive World Health Organisation (WHO) Listed Authority (WLA) status for vaccine regulatory functions.
Its Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) head Taruna Ikrar said the WLA status, granted in December 2025, places the agency among 38 regulators from developed countries that have secured the recognition.
He said the designation reflects international confidence in Indonesia’s regulatory standards and strengthens BPOM’s position within the global vaccine ecosystem.
“Global recognition through BPOM’s designation as a WLA was not achieved overnight.
“Strengthening the regulatory system has been built through consistent policies, enhanced Human Resources, transparent governance, and sustained commitment to continuous improvement,” he said in a statement today.
Taruna added that the recognition must translate into direct public health benefits, particularly by ensuring vaccine quality, safety, and availability.
“I need to emphasise that WLA is not the end point, but rather the starting point of greater possibility,” he said.
