At the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, global leaders and philanthropic organizations pledged more than $170 million in additional funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). This significant show of support came during a high-level pledging event aimed at addressing mounting global health challenges and bolstering multilateral cooperation.
The funds are part of WHO’s Investment Round (IR), which supports its strategic framework—the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14). This program, covering 2025 to 2028, is designed to save up to 40 million lives over the next four years through targeted, life-saving health interventions.
The pledges represent a strong mix of governmental and philanthropic contributions. Notably, eight donors offered flexible funding—widely regarded as the most valuable type of contribution due to its adaptability—while four of the donors were making their first-ever contributions to WHO. Countries that made pledges include Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tanzania. Major philanthropic contributors included ELMA Philanthropies, Fondation Botnar, Laerdal Global Health, the Nippon Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation pledged an additional $13 million and signaled its intent to increase support further.
In a complementary move, WHO Member States also approved an increase in Assessed Contributions, bringing in an additional $90 million annually. This marks another milestone in WHO’s path toward more sustainable financing.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude for the global support. “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,” he stated. “They show that multilateralism is alive and well.”
The One World Movement, an initiative aligned with WHO’s goals, also saw nearly 8,000 individuals from across the globe join as “Member Citizens,” collectively donating almost $600,000—many on a recurring monthly basis. This grassroots effort stands as a powerful testament to global solidarity and a reminder that individual contributions matter in the fight for better health for all.
