In anticipation of the implementation of new prophylactic HPV vaccines, the WHO is supporting the establishment of a global WHO HPV Laboratory Network whose mission is to "contribute to improving the quality of laboratory services for effective surveillance and monitoring of HPV vaccination impact through enhanced, state-of-the-art laboratory support". WHO convened a meeting at its headquarters, 24-25 January 2008 which placed particular emphasis on the harmonization of HPV Laboratory Network practices and standardization of HPV assays as these are crucial for the success of the HPV Laboratory Network in conducting studies measuring HPV disease burden and vaccine impact. To assist the HPV Laboratory Network in fulfilling its mission, the meeting was attended by all members of the HPV Laboratory Network, representatives of WHO Headquarters and Regional Offices, WHO Collaborating Centres involved in HPV-related work as well as experts from additional HPV laboratories around the world, representatives of national regulatory and control authorities, non-profit organizations and the vaccine industry.