The WHO has once again designated the University of Navarra as a collaborating center for palliative care
The ATLANTES Global Palliative Care Observatory is one of five collaborating centers worldwide in this field, alongside those in the United Kingdom, Russia, India, and South Korea
Photo: researcher team researcher the ATLANTES Global Observatory on Palliative Care at Institute for Culture and Society ICS) of the University of Navarra
01 | 04 | 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again designated the ATLANTES Global Observatory on Palliative Care, part of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) at the University of Navarra, through 2030. It is one of only five centers in the world dedicated to the field of palliative care, along with those located in the United Kingdom, Russia, India, and Korea. Spain participates in this network eleven other organizations dedicated to other healthcare disciplines.
During the first partnership period partnership 2020–2025), ATLANTES conducted an assessment the status of palliative care covering more than 200 countries, with the participation of over 600 consultants from around the world. As result, five regional atlases and the Global Palliative Care Map were published, along with the first global ranking in this area.
Dr. Carlos Centeno, a palliative care physician and researcher for ATLANTES, notes that this new designation represents “international recognition of work by ATLANTES and a confirmation of the WHO’s confidence in continuing to support its diary in palliative care.” This further establishes the University of Navarra and the ICS as a leading authority in monitoring the development palliative care worldwide.
“Palliative care isn’t just for the end of life: it’s care designed to relieve severe suffering and improve quality of life in advanced stages of illness. This reclassification allows us to continue providing evidence and tools so that countries can better plan their services,” the researcher emphasizes. In this regard, he highlights the real impact that research on society: “What we measure are not numbers, but gaps that translate into people who today are not receiving the care they need. Our goal clear: that access to palliative care be a reality, not a privilege. We do not want any country to be left behind in the response to severe health-related suffering.”
Resources to Identify Gaps
Through this partnership, ATLANTES will continue to provide technical support to the WHO in monitoring the development palliative care worldwide: “In internship, this involves generating and update comparative update by country and region, developing indicators and analytical tools, and producing resources that enable the WHO and Member States to identify gaps, priorities, and opportunities for improvement.” The result a series of materials designed for internship to serve society, such as regional atlases, maps, and indicator dashboards, policy briefs, and training coordination activities with networks of national experts and consultants.
The work the WHO is carried out directly with the technical team of the organization manager palliative care within the health area , as well as with its regional offices. This project supported by the Ramón Areces Foundation, the La Caixa Foundation, the L’Ontano Foundation, and The True Colours Trust.