Health ministers from G20 nations expressed their support for the World Health Organization's (WHO) first Investment Round during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro on November 1, 2024. They urged all Member States and partners to contribute to WHO's new strategy aimed at improving global health, potentially saving 40 million lives.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that 63 pledges totaling over one billion US dollars have been secured, with more than half coming from first-time voluntary contributors, including nations from Africa, the Western Pacific, and South-East Asia. He emphasized the importance of every contribution, noting that even some of the world's poorest countries have pledged support.
Ministers from Germany, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Türkiye, the European Union, and the Wellcome Trust were recognized for their commitments. Brazilian Health Minister Nísia Trindade stressed the need for a strong WHO and called for contributions to ensure its financial sustainability.
German Health Minister Dr. Karl Lauterbach highlighted that resilient financing is crucial for WHO, urging all G20 partners to fulfill their political commitments. South Africa's Health Minister Dr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi announced that South Africa will continue to promote sustainable financing for WHO during its G20 presidency next year.
The G20 Leaders' Summit on November 18-19, 2024, will serve as a critical platform for additional pledges to WHO.