Responsible Conduct of Research in Asia and the Western Pacific: Insights from the 24th Forum for Ethical Review Committees in the Asian and Western Pacific Region (FERCAP) International Conference

Abstract

Background: Research Ethics Committees (RECs) play a critical role in safeguarding ethical integrity in health research by reviewing protocols for scientific validity, social value, and ethical compliance. FERCAP, a regional initiative under WHO-TDR, has supported harmonization and capacity building in research ethics across the Asia-Pacific region for the past 25 years. The 24th FERCAP International Conference, hosted by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2024, provided a platform to examine ethical challenges and innovations under the theme “Maximizing Benefits through Responsible Conduct of Research.”
Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted using secondary data sources from the conference, including video recordings, agendas, presentations, transcripts, and reports. Descriptive analysis was performed on participant demographics, while thematic analysis was applied to content from plenary and parallel sessions. Three researchers independently coded the data and identified major themes through consensus.
Results: The conference was attended by over 500 participants from 23 countries and featured presentations across 18 thematic sessions. Three primary themes emerged: strengthening ethical oversight through post-approval monitoring and capacity building; promoting inclusivity and contextual relevance in ethics review, especially in social science and community-based research; and addressing emerging ethical issues posed by new technologies and decentralized trials. Discussions also emphasized integrating open science principles, harmonizing international guidelines, and recognizing institutional contributions to ethics governance.
Conclusion: The findings from the 24th FERCAP Conference highlight the region’s progress and challenges in upholding ethical standards amidst rapidly evolving research contexts. The conference reinforced the need for collaborative frameworks, continued ethics training, and responsive policies that address both biomedical and social research landscapes. These outcomes will inform future directions as FERCAP prepares for its 25th anniversary and continues to strengthen ethical research environments across the region.
Keywords: Ethical review; FERCAP; NHRC; post-approval; research ethics committees.