World leaders have pledged more than $170 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, reaffirming strong international support for multilateral health cooperation amid growing global health threats.
The funding, announced on Tuesday at a high-level pledging event, is part of WHO’s ongoing Investment Round (IR) aimed at financing its Fourteenth General Programme of Work – a global strategy projected to save over 40 million lives by 2028. The event marked a turning point in global health solidarity, with contributions flowing from governments and leading philanthropic organizations.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the pledges as a vital step toward sustainable global health financing, especially in an era of overlapping health emergencies. “I am grateful to every member state and partner that has pledged towards the investment round. In a challenging climate for global health, these funds will help us to preserve and extend our life-saving work. They show that multilateralism is alive and well,” he said.
In addition to the pledged $170 million, WHO member states approved a landmark increase in assessed contributions, adding another $90 million annually to the organization’s base budget starting from 2025. This move signals a commitment to long-term health security and sustainable support for WHO’s mission.
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Key pledges came from Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tanzania, as well as major philanthropic entities such as ELMA Philanthropies, Fondation Botnar, Laerdal Global Health, the Nippon Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation also committed an additional $13 million and signaled plans for further funding boosts.
As global health threats from pandemics to climate-related health impacts continue to rise, WHO’s enhanced financial backing could not come at a more critical time. With new funding secured and more partnerships forming, the organization is set to expand its life-saving reach across the globe, strengthening health systems and driving sustainable solutions where they’re needed most.
This wave of financial support marks a renewed global commitment to health equity, pandemic preparedness, and universal healthcare, highlighting WHO’s central role in safeguarding the health of billions worldwide.
