The World Health Organization (WHO) has received over $170 million in fresh financial pledges from countries including China, Qatar, Switzerland, and Sweden, as it prepares for the anticipated withdrawal of the United States, historically its largest donor. The announcement came during WHO’s annual assembly on Tuesday, where member states also agreed to increase mandatory contributions to cover the expected funding gap.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the pledges as crucial amid a challenging global health environment, emphasizing that the funds will support WHO’s life-saving work through 2025–2028. Key pledges included $40 million from Switzerland, $13.5 million from Sweden, $8 million from Angola, and $6 million from Qatar. Additional contributions were pledged by private foundations, such as Novo Nordisk Foundation and ELMA Philanthropies.
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China’s $500 million pledge, announced earlier, was not included in the current tally pending final financial arrangements. China’s Health Minister Dr. Lei Haichao stressed the country’s strong support for WHO’s reform efforts, which aim to reduce dependence on a few donors.
The United States, which contributed about 18% of WHO’s funding, is expected to formally exit in January 2026, a decision rooted in dissatisfaction with WHO’s pandemic response. This prompted member states to approve a revised WHO budget of $4.2 billion for 2026–2027—20% lower than initially planned—and to increase mandatory contributions by 20% over two years, positioning China as the largest state contributor.
Experts, including Germany’s representative Björn Kümmel, called for urgent reforms to ensure WHO’s sustainability. The new funding and structural changes are seen as essential for preserving WHO’s vital role in global health amid increasing geopolitical and financial pressures.
