A crucial High-Level Pledging Event is scheduled to take place on May 20, 2025, at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The event aims to raise essential funding for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Investment Round, a strategic initiative designed to accelerate progress toward achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Event Details
- Date and Time: The pledging event will occur on May 20, 2025, from 18:45 to 19:45 CEST.
- Location: Room XVIII at the Palais des Nations.
- Objective: To secure predictable and sustainable financing for WHO, enabling the organization to deliver impactful global health outcomes.
Importance of Funding
The WHO’s Investment Round is critical for ¹ ²:
- Strengthening Core Mandate: Enhancing WHO’s capacity to drive global health outcomes.
- Supporting National Health Priorities: Responding to emergencies and ensuring global health investments translate into real impact.
- Saving Lives: Fully funding WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14) is estimated to contribute to saving 40 million lives from 2025-2028.
Global Support
Several countries have already demonstrated their support for the Investment Round, including ¹:
- Brazil: Will host high-level events, including at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November, to rally countries to join the initiative.
- France, Germany, and Norway: Will co-host the Investment Round.
- Qatar: Has pledged $4 million in fully flexible funds.
Expected Outcomes
The High-Level Pledging Event aims to:
- Secure Funding Commitments: From Member States and philanthropies.
- Boost Global Health Initiatives: By ensuring WHO’s sustainable financing.
- Advance Health Equity: By supporting WHO’s core work and increasing efficiency ³.
