The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised $1 billion in pledges during its first European fundraising round held in Berlin, marking a major step toward strengthening its financial independence and long-term planning capacity.
About $700 million came from new commitments by European governments and philanthropic organizations, while $300 million were earlier pledges from the EU and African Union.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the initiative would help the WHO plan ahead and respond swiftly to global health emergencies. “Sustainable financing gives WHO the certainty to plan and the flexibility to act,” he noted.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the funding as a strong start toward the agency’s goal of mobilizing $7.4 billion by May 2025 to implement its 2025–2028 strategy, which aims to save over 40 million lives through stronger health systems and emergency preparedness.
Germany pledged $360 million, the EU $250 million, Norway $100 million, and Ireland $30 million. Seventeen African countries collectively contributed $47 million, with Niger donating $2 million. The Wellcome Trust and Sanofi Foundation each committed $50 million.
The WHO plans to expand its fundraising efforts to Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas to close the remaining $6.4 billion gap.
Despite overseeing global health responses, WHO’s biennial budget remains modest—about $6.7 billion—underscoring the need for predictable and flexible funding to meet rising global health challenges.
