As part of increasing support for the first Investment Round by WHO, the health ministers of the G20 countries held today a meeting in Rio de Janeiro. This meeting was aimed at capital raising efforts geared towards the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global health strategy headed by Brazil which targets billions of people’s health in order to save some 40 million lives.
With a strong emphasis on the importance of this initiative in tackling the global health issues, the ministers called on all member state’s partners to avail themselves for the Investment Round. Additional pledges are also expected to be made by the G20 countries during the Leaders’ Summit to be held on the 18th and 19th November, 2024.
“I would like to thank Dr. Rintis and all other ministers for their support and all states should engage in this overarching investment round initiative in one way or another,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO. “I have invited every Member State and partner to join the Investment Round, consistent with their capacity. To date, 63 pledges over one billion US dollars have been received. This is quite impressive and includes completions from multiple donors and countries that are quite new such as those in Africa, the West Pacific and South-East Asia. Every contribution is important,” he said, with respect to impact of WHO work for the most disadvantaged groups around the world.
The aforementioned countries and entities were thanked for their contributions during the meeting: Germany , Norway, Singapore , South Africa, Turkey and the European Union. The G20 Leaders’ Summit, which will be presided over by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil will be the game-changer in respect of obtaining predictable and flexible financing for the WHO with the global health architecture in support.
Speaking in the Leaders’ Summit, Brazil’s Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, explained the need for a healthy WHO that carries out its mission, and beckoned for financial commitments from all parties. “We definitely need a strong WHO to accomplish its mandate, and we call on everyone to contribute to its financial stability,” she emphasized.
“Resilient financing for WHO is paramount” said German Health Minister Dr. Karl Lauterbach added further. “Financing WHO means investing in a healthier future. We call on all G20 partners to fulfill their political commitments and to enhance their financial support for WHO,” he remarked.
In a pivotal announcement, South Africa’s Health Minister, Dr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to advancing WHO’s sustainable financing agenda during its upcoming G20 presidency, signifying a collaborative transition of leadership from Brazil to South Africa.
