WHO Launches ‘Investment Round’ To Raise USD 7 Billion To Tackle Global Health Challenges

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new ‘Investment Round’ aiming to raise USD 7 billion. This initiative comes just before the 77th World Health Assembly, which begins Monday at the United States agency’s headquarters with 194 member states.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Sunday that increased commitments would contribute USD 4 billion to the agency’s USD 11.1 billion budget for the 2025-2028 period.

Using his social media platform X, Ghebreyesus highlighted the world’s current struggles with numerous overlapping challenges such as conflict, climate change, displacement, poverty, inequality, polarization, disease outbreaks, the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, and mental health conditions. “The WHO Investment Round aims to mobilize USD 7 billion dollars over four years to support countries to respond to these challenges,” Ghebreyesus posted on X.

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During a media briefing last week, the WHO chief explained that the ‘Investment Round’ is intended to make voluntary contributions, which currently form the majority of WHO funding, more predictable, flexible, and sustainable. “Our new Investment Case outlines why and how supporting WHO is essential for progress in global health and saving millions of lives. It will be launched on May 28 during the Assembly,” Tedros said.

The 77th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from May 27 to June 1, with the theme “All for Health, Health for All.” The Investment Round follows recommendations from the WHO Working Group on Sustainable Financing and was approved at the 154th Meeting of the WHO Executive Board in January 2024. It aims to secure funding for WHO’s strategy, the 14th General Programme of Work.

At Sunday’s event, Brazil announced it would host high-level events, including at the Leaders’ Summit in November, to support the Investment Round as part of its G20 presidency and encourage other countries to join the initiative. Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, announced a contribution of USD 4 million in fully flexible funds to the Investment Round, with plans for additional contributions. “Health care is a fundamental human right and we must continue to invest in the World Health Organization to safeguard our health. Unity is the key to our success,” Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwari stated according to a WHO release.

France, Germany, and Norway announced they would co-host the Investment Round. The World Health Assembly, WHO’s decision-making body, includes delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. In last week’s media briefing, the WHO chief mentioned that the Assembly would see the launch of a new global health strategy developed in collaboration with 194 Member States and partners, aiming to realign efforts to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals.