News
Launch of WHO investment case draws expressions of support and pledges to sustainably finance four-year strategy
The WHO launched on Tuesday a investment case which defines the Organization’s essential contribution to global health and seeks investments in its 2025-2028 strategy to save 40 million lives and improve the health of 6 billion people.
The investment case underpins the WHO strategy Investment Roundwhich began on Sunday and received many strong expressions of support, commitments from countries to co-host, and a series of initial pledges that build momentum towards the culmination of the Investment Round later this year.
Statements of support and funding commitments came from Member States and the European Union during Tuesday’s launch event at a strategic roundtable of the 77th World Health Assembly.
“I thank Brazil, which will host the Investment Round as Chair of the G20, together with co-hosts France, Germany and Norway, and Mauritania in its capacity as Chair of the African Union,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at Tuesday’s event. “I also thank the G7 finance ministers, who recently called for increased funding for WHO through the Investment Round. And I thank all Member States and other donors for their voluntary contributions, especially those who already provide predictable and flexible funding.”
The 40-page investment case is rich in data and examples of WHO’s achievements – from women’s health to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the elimination of infectious diseases – shows how the Organization amplifies the impact of its work to generate a return of US$35 for every US$1 of investment, and sets out what can be achieved if WHO is sustainably funded.
The WHO strategy for global health, the General Work Program (GPW 14)approved on Tuesday, calls for deep collaboration with Member States and partners across a broad range of health needs in a time of climate change, geopolitical turbulence, mass migration and other complex challenges.
Expressions of support, pledges of funding
With the Investment Round, WHO is not asking for more funds, but rather voluntary contributions ahead of the four-year strategy to ensure it can be fully implemented. Member States’ membership fees cover only a portion of the costs of WHO-approved activities; the Investment Round is raising funds for a US$7.1 billion gap.
During the event, Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced the country’s contribution of SGD 24 million (US$18 million) to the Investment Round. Ireland’s Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced that the country would immediately bring forward its statutory contribution to 2028-2029 levels, committing to additional flexible funding.
The European Union also reaffirmed its commitment to the WHO.
“We want to see a WHO that is financed sustainably, responsibly and effectively. I am proud to announce today, as part of the WHO Investment Round, a contribution from the European Commission of over €250 million,” Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said in a video address.
On Sunday, at the launch of the Investment Round, the Philanthropy Institute pledged US$1.2 million for the health of migrants and displaced populations affected by climate change.
What WHO will deliver over 2025–2028
The investment case outlines how the activities outlined in GMP 14 will save 40 million lives, focusing on health emergencies, AMR, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, vaccination, the effects of climate change and risk factors including tobacco, alcohol, physical activity and diet.
WHO’s strategy for 2025–2028 builds on the Organization’s ongoing commitment to promote, provide and protect health; in text, data and graphics, the investment case provides examples of the activities that will support this commitment over the next four years.
These include bringing solar electrification to 10,000 health facilities to make them fully functional; supporting 55 countries in educating and employing 3.2 million health workers; increasing the number of vaccines delivered to priority countries; providing access to health services to more than 150 million people in humanitarian settings in 30 countries; helping 84 countries reach targets to eliminate malaria, mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other diseases; detecting and taking action against 30 health threats each month; strengthening access to timely and reliable health data; and prequalifying 400 health products each year.
Over the past five years, WHO has helped countries apply the latest scientific and health practices with measurable results: 1.2 billion people are living healthier lives through reduced risks and healthier environments; almost 430 million more people are covered by essential health services without financial difficulties; and 600 million people are better protected from health emergencies. These results were achieved with an annual budget of US$2.75 billion – or less than US$0.35 per person.