WHO Funding: $170M+ Pledged at 2025 Assembly
WHO secures Funding boost for Global Health Initiatives
Updated May 27, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has received pledges of more than $170 million to boost its global health programs. The announcement came during a high-level pledging event at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in Geneva. These contributions to WHO’s Investment Round (IR) demonstrate strong support for multilateral cooperation amid pressing global health challenges.
In addition, member states approved an increase in assessed contributions, adding $90 million annually to WHO’s income. This move marks a important step toward lasting financing for the organization.
The Investment Round aims to raise funds for WHO’s global health strategy, known as the Fourteenth General Program of Work. This initiative has the potential to save an additional 40 million lives over the next four years. The pledges represent ample contributions from both governments and philanthropic organizations, reinforcing the importance of global health investment.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his gratitude for the pledges. “I am grateful to every Member State and partner that has pledged towards the investment round,” Tedros saeid. “In a challenging climate for global health, these funds will help us to preserve and extend our life-saving work. They show that multilateralism is alive and well.”
The pledging event saw participation from both long-standing allies and new contributors, expanding WHO’s donor base. Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK, moderated the event, which featured pledges from Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tanzania. The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation, Fondation Botnar, Laerdal Global Health, the Nippon Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation also made significant contributions. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation announced an additional $13 million and committed to further increases in funding.
Flexible funding is crucial for WHO, allowing it to remain responsive, country-focused, and aligned with national health priorities. This approach supports WHO’s evolution into a more efficient and agile institution.
Individual giving has also played a role in extending WHO’s fundraising reach. Through the One World Movement, nearly 8,000 individuals from around the globe have become ‘Member Citizens,’ contributing almost $600,000 in donations, many on a monthly basis. This reflects a powerful expression of global solidarity.
| Contributor | Additional Amount for WHO Investment Round |
|---|---|
| Angola | $8 million |
| Cambodia | $400,000 |
| China | Contribution to Investment Round to be confirmed. |
| Gabon | $150,000 |
| Mongolia | $100,000 |
| Qatar | $6 million |
| Sweden | €12 million = $13.5 million |
| Switzerland | Sw.fr. 66 million = $80 million |
| Tanzania | $500,000 (along with $500,000 already announced) |
| CIFF | $13 million and commitment to further increase |
| The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation (with the WHO Foundation) | $2 million |
| Foundation Botnar | Sw.fr.8 million = $9.6 million |
| Laerdal global Health (with the WHO Foundation) | $12.5 million |
| Nippon Foundation,Mr. Sasakawa, (chairman) | $9.2 million |
| Novo Nordisk Foundation | DKK 380 million = $57 million |
What’s next
As the Investment Round continues, the WHO aims to build on this momentum to secure further funding and strengthen its capacity to address global health challenges effectively. the focus remains on fostering partnerships and ensuring sustainable financing to achieve better health for all.