Update: Countries in South East Asia Region, partners pledge over USD 345 million, including in kind contributions, at special WHO Investment Round Event

At a special ceremony to highlight the importance of investment in WHO and global health, countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region and key partner organizations pledged over USD 345 million, including important in-kind contributions, in financing for the organization.

This special event, which took place on the opening day of WHO's South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting, brought together Ministries of Health and high-profile development and philanthropic partners - including, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Global Fund, CIFF, Rotary, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank and JHIEPIGO - to advocate for sustainable and predictable funding for the full implementation of WHO's next Global Programme of Work. Through such financing the organization will be able to achieve its goal of contributing to save 40 million lives between 2025 and 2028.

"Our region, which is home to a quarter of the world's population is also a region with many challenges, but also incredible resources and commitment, both from our Ministries of Health and partners, who have all noted where and how they want to contribute to investing in a healthier region. This is immensely gratifying to us and the vision that we have for this region," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Heads of delegation from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste all spoke during the event, expressing support to WHO, with Timor-Leste leading the pledging round with an inspiring USD 1 million pledge. India (already the sixth largest contributor of core funding to WHO globally) committed over USD 300 million to support WHO's operations and programs (including in-kind support) in the areas of traditional medicine and digital health. In addition, India has also offered close to USD 5 M of more flexible thematic funding. Indonesia and Bhutan committed to provide pledge amounts in the coming weeks.

Dr Sania Nishtar, GAVI's CEO and Ms Francoise Vanni, Director of External Relations of the Global Fund both underscored the importance of investing in WHO. The Gates Foundation, through its South- East Asia Director, Mr Hari Menon pledged an initial USD 42 million to support WHO's work in infectious diseases, vaccine delivery, maternal and child health and digital health.

Dr Razia Pendse, Chef de Cabinet, Director-General's Office, who spoke on behalf of WHO's Director-General during the event, said, "Today was an incredible demonstration of solidarity to WHO and its mission. I am extremely grateful to our Member States and partners for their continued confidence in us and our mission."

The Investment Round has and will foresee several events this year that will culminate in a grand pledging ceremony on the sidelines of the G20 in November this year, hosted by Brazil. The funds being sought are not additional resources, but those needed by the organization for its core work, to deliver on its mandate to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for all, especially the most vulnerable. Thus far, over USD 2.2 billion in projected funding has been recorded towards a USD 7.1 billion financing requirement for the 2025-2028 period.

For more information on the WHO Investment Round and key pledging moments around the world: https://www.who.int/about/funding/invest-in-who/investment-round