World leaders have committed at least $170 million in fresh funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) during the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva.
The pledges, made at a high-level event on Tuesday, reflect renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and global health progress under WHO’s Investment Round (IR) initiative.
The funds will support WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, a strategic plan aimed at saving 40 million lives in the next four years. These contributions came from a mix of governments and philanthropic organizations, demonstrating a broad-based effort to bolster global health systems.
In addition to the pledges, Member States also approved an increase in Assessed Contributions, which will provide WHO with an extra $90 million annually—further advancing the agency’s path toward sustainable financing.
“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,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General. “They show that multilateralism is alive and well.”
Countries and organizations participating included Angola, China, Sweden, Qatar, Cambodia, and several global foundations such as ELMA Philanthropies, Fondation Botnar, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation alone pledged an additional $13 million with a commitment to further contributions.
At least eight donors offered flexible funding, which is highly valued for its versatility, and four entities contributed to WHO for the first time.
The One World Movement also added to the show of solidarity, with nearly 8,000 individuals around the globe signing on as ‘Member Citizens’ and contributing nearly \$600,000—many through recurring donations—emphasizing that collective action at every level matters.
Contributor: Additional amount for WHO Investment Round
Angola: US$ 8 million
Cambodia: US$ 400 000
China: Contribution to Investment Round to be confirmed.
Gabon: US$ 150 000
Mongolia: US$ 100 000
Qatar: US$ 6 million
Sweden: €12 million = US$ 13.5 million
Switzerland: Sw.fr. 33 million = US$ 40 million
Tanzania: US$ 500,000 (in addition to US$ 500,000 already announced)
CIFF: US$ 13 million and commitment to further increase
ELMA Philanthropies: US$ 2 million
Foundation Botnar: Sw.fr. 8 million = US$ 9.6 million
Laerdal Global Health: US$ 12.5 million
Nippon Foundation, Mr. Sasakawa, (Chairman): US$ 9.2 million
Novo Nordisk Foundation: DKK 380 million = US$ 57 million
What you should know
The $170 million pledged by global leaders to WHO will support a key strategy to save millions of lives between 2025 and 2028, marking a strong step toward sustainable global health financing and multilateral cooperation.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
