Fourteen African nations along with multiple partners have promised a total of more than $45 million to the World Health Organization’s Investment Round initiative, which has been in existence for three months now.
This initiative is focused on creating sustainable funding for the organization, which plays a crucial role in the global health structure.
During the WHO Regional Committee for Africa meeting, leaders and representatives from various African countries emphasized the significance of investing in global health and ensuring a robust WHO.
The countries that pledged their support include Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania.
In addition to these countries, numerous partners have also committed to supporting the WHO and have promised to provide further contributions later this year.
These partners include the Helmsley Charitable Trust, World Diabetes Foundation, Roche, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, African Development Bank, and the WHO Foundation.
“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,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The UN body announced that 14 countries and partners made a historic commitment to provide sustainable funding to the WHO, enabling it to better achieve its mission of promoting and protecting global health and wellbeing.
“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,” noted WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti.
The World Health Organization’s Investment Round, which kicked off at the World Health Assembly in May 2024, is set to continue in the coming months with a series of high-profile pledging events taking place globally.
This initiative seeks to secure funding that is adaptable, predictable, and sustainable, aligning with the WHO’s strategy endorsed by its Member States.
