A “health financing emergency” must drive country-led, data-driven solutions Ministers from multiple countries hit by the abrupt cuts in external funding for health agreed on the urgent need for country-owned and implemented strategies – and a laser-sharp focus on health data – at a ministerial dialogue co-hosted by WHO and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. Opening remarks by Professor Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, set the tone by noting that the crisis presents an opportunity for a turnaround in how health financing policies and health data systems are built and operated. Specifically, this is a time for countries to reduce their reliance on external health information systems and external financing; build out their domestic data infrastructure, from vital statistics to downstream impact and return-on-investment; and establish resilient systems designed to withstand shocks, so that access to essential services is protected. Professor Fisseha called on countries “to use this moment to rethink data and financing in a way that best meets your needs and the needs of your people [...] For countries to truly lead and for funders and development partners to start to learn how to follow. Data and financing are a natural place to start because that is where ministers are telling us to start.” Dr Tedros said, “From expanding domestic financing to pioneering real-time data systems, many of you are advancing solutions that are scalable, sustainable and rooted in equity. Data and sustainable financing are not just technical matters. They are political choices. They shape who is reached, how quickly, and with what quality of care. And they determine whether we progress or fall behind." Ministers from Barbados, Central African Republic, Egypt, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, and representatives from the African Union and the World Bank, among others, shared experiences and advice on concrete actions to strengthen data systems, health financing and planning – urging intensified collaboration in the future. They also spoke of the need to leverage the digital transformation and thereby increase transparency and accountability. Also discussed: strategies to improve domestic financing capacity while maximizing impact include: strengthening tax administration; exploring revenue sources such as taxes on such items as food, alcohol and tobacco; setting up population-wide mandatory health coverage schemes, coupled with subsidies for low-income households and vulnerable population groups; promoting strategic purchasing of health supplies; prioritizing health in public spending; and integrating externally-funded programmes into domestic financing systems and priorities.  Later this week the Assembly will take up the proposed WHA Health Financing Resolution.  Related links WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the Strategic Roundtable: Data and Sustainable Financing: Twin Foundations to Accelerate UHC – 21 May 2025 Report on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan On 21 May 2025, the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly noted a report from the Director-General, outlining WHO’s humanitarian and emergency health response in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, from January 2024 to February 2025. A report on the health conditions in the occupied Syrian Golan couldn’t be provided this year again due to the ongoing situation and the lack of disaggregated health data on the Syrian population. Member States were invited to provide guidance on how to support WHO and partners to restore essential health services across Syria and enable a WHO field-assessment mission to the occupied Syrian Golan.    Member States expressed grave concerns over the deterioration of the health system in Gaza, including forced displacement, overcrowding and deteriorating sanitation, and attacks on health, stressing the need for concerted action to address the dire health needs. A number of Member States presented draft decisions asking the Director-General to continue reporting on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, and more specifically on food insecurity and malnutrition in the Gaza Strip, and to continue supporting the Palestinian and Syrian health systems. The decision was adopted. Related documents A78/16: Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan A78/B/CONF./1: Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan A78/B/CONF./1 Add.1: Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Health Assembly

World leaders pledged at least an additional US$ 210 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) at a high-level pledging event Tuesday at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in Geneva. Amid rising global health challenges, leaders reaffirmed their support for multilateral cooperation through these contributions to WHO’s Investment Round (IR). Earlier in the day, Member States approved an increase in Assessed Contributions, adding a separate US$ 90 million a year of income, and marking another important step on WHO’s journey towards sustainable financing. The IR is raising funds for WHO’s strategy for global health, the  Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which can save an additional 40 million lives over the next four years. The pledges made today represent significant contributions from both governments and philanthropic partners. “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 Director-General. “They show that multilateralism is alive and well.” Both long-standing allies and new contributors stepped up at today’s pledging event, broadening WHO’s donor base with fresh voluntary funding. Moderated by Mr Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK, the event and the World Health Assembly featured pledges from Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation (with the WHO Foundation), Fondation Botnar, Laerdal Global Health (with the WHO Foundation), the Nippon Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation announced an additional US$ 13 million and committed to further increases in funding. Among the announcements at least US$ 210 million is for the Investment Round, meaning that the funding supports WHO’s base budget from 2025–2028. Eight of the donors included a flexible contribution to WHO, the most valuable sort of funding, and four were first time donors. WHO’s fundraising reach has also been extended through individual giving. Through the One World Movement, almost 8000 people from across the world have signed on as ‘Member Citizens’, contributing almost US$ 600 000 in donations, many monthly – a powerful expression of global solidarity and an affirmation that every voice counts. The event’s speakers emphasized not only the need for continued investment, but the strategic value of flexible and diversified financing to keep WHO responsive, country-focused, and aligned with national health priorities – as it evolves into a leaner, more agile institution. The event was a pivotal moment in WHO’s journey to more sustainable funding. As the IR continues, today’s event is a testament to the role of partnership in times of uncertainty. Contributions from each donor made at today’s pledging event can be found below. Each contribution to WHO brings us one step closer to better health for all united in the mission of “One World for Health”.   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. 66 million = US$ 80 million Tanzania US$ 500 000 (in addition to US$ 500 000 already announced) CIFF US$ 13 million and commitment to further increase The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation (with the WHO Foundation) US$ 2 million Foundation Botnar Sw.fr. 8 million = US$ 9.6 million Laerdal Global Health (with the WHO Foundation) US$ 12.5 million Nippon Foundation, Mr. Sasakawa, (Chairman) US$ 9.2 million Novo Nordisk Foundation DKK 380 million = US$ 57 million       Editor's note On 21 May 2025, a correction was made in this news release to reflect the increased pledge from Switzerland from 33 million Swiss francs (US$ 40 million) to 66 million Swiss francs (US$ 80 million), to provide the full name of The ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation, and to note “(with the WHO Foundation)” with Laerdal Global Health. On 27 May 2025, a correction was made to this news release, both in the headline and the main text, to reflect the increase of the total amount pledged during the event from US$ 170 million to US$ 210 million.