Global leaders have pledged more than $170 million in new funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), reinforcing their commitment to global health cooperation in the face of rising health challenges worldwide.
The announcements came during a high-level pledging event held at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where countries and philanthropic organizations reaffirmed their support for WHO’s Investment Round (IR) a key funding initiative supporting the organization’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work. This strategy aims to save an additional 40 million lives by 2028.
In a significant step toward sustainable financing, Member States approved an increase in Assessed Contributions, providing WHO with an additional $90 million annually. This core funding is crucial for ensuring the organization’s independence and stability.
Contributors to the Investment Round included governments from Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tanzania, as well as leading philanthropic partners such as ELMA Philanthropies (in partnership with the WHO Foundation), Fondation Botnar, Laerdal Global Health, the Nippon Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation pledged an additional $13 million, with a commitment to increase support further.
Notably, eight donors made flexible contributions, the most valuable type of funding for WHO, and four contributors were first-time donors.
Beyond governments and major foundations, grassroots support has also played a role. Through the One World Movement, nearly 8,000 individuals from around the world have joined as ‘Member Citizens,’ contributing almost $600,000, much of it through ongoing monthly donations. This collective effort underscores the global solidarity behind WHO’s mission and highlights the belief that every voice and every contribution matters.
The new pledges will bolster WHO’s base budget for 2025–2028, strengthening its ability to respond to global health emergencies, improve healthcare systems, and advance health equity around the world.
