In a landmark show of support, fourteen African countries, along with a range of global partners, have pledged over $45 million to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Investment Round. The three-month-old initiative seeks to secure sustainable financing for the WHO, which is pivotal in the global health architecture. The pledges were announced during the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, where heads of state and government emphasized the critical need for robust investment in global health to strengthen the WHO’s capacity.
Participating Countries
The African nations making significant commitments include Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Global Partners Join the Effort
In addition to the African countries, several international partners have also pledged their support to the WHO. These partners include the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the World Diabetes Foundation, Roche, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the African Development Bank, and the WHO Foundation. Many of these partners have committed to providing additional pledges later in the year.
Statements from WHO Leadership
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “I thank our African Region Member States for actively supporting WHO’s first Investment Round to mobilize predictable and flexible resources needed for our core work over the next four years. Full, sustainable funding will enable WHO to support countries better in their work to build healthier, more resilient, and more prosperous populations.”
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, highlighted the significance of the pledges, noting, “A strong, predictable and sustainably financed WHO is essential for our region and the world to meet the multiple health threats we face; and support the prevention of disease based on the vast evidence at our disposal. Every pledge and every partnership counts. Together, we can achieve a future where health and well-being are accessible to all.”
Looking Ahead
The WHO Investment Round, which was launched at the World Health Assembly in May 2024, will continue to engage donors worldwide in the coming months. The initiative aims to secure flexible, predictable, and resilient contributions that align with the WHO’s strategic goals and support effective decision-making for the next four-year budget cycle.
For more information about the WHO Investment Round and how to get involved, visit the WHO’s official website.