WHO Investment Round: Make a commitment to our common health

We all value our own well-being and those of our immediate families. Even in the most developed nations, our health is in danger despite significant advancements in science and innovation. As leaders in health, we have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our citizens, and we must do so equitably. No one should be left behind. We are aware that this investment is required to promote global health, promote wealth, and foster trust in governments, international organizations, and multilateral approaches to improving the quality of life for everyone. Supporting and strengthening national health systems is one of the most crucial steps, as all nations have done by adhering to the Sustainable Development Goals.

But we know that this alone is no longer sufficient. No one is safe until everyone is safe, so all nations must invest in their shared security and protection. This we can only do by looking beyond borders, regionally and globally. We must strengthen health systems and health security worldwide, supporting all countries around the globe, especially the least developed. We have done this through UN and other multilateral formats, including statements and actions.

A technically and operationally sound World Health Organization (WHO) is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable investments that can be made to create a healthier, safer world for everyone. In representing 194 countries, WHO has a unique reach and mandate to serve as the guiding force in global health, convening scientific excellence, national decision-makers and health partners alike. But to succeed, WHO must be equipped to be flexible, reliable and efficient. The Member States of WHO have chosen to invest in the organization and back the organization’s landmark first WHO Investment Round.

The WHO Investment Round, which will be the focus of the Berlin World Health Summit today, offers a unique opportunity for nations to work together to advance global health. Every $35 spent on WHO can be used to save 40 million lives over the course of four years. Full, sustainable funding of WHO will enable it to support countries to build healthier, stronger and more prosperous communities.

Numerous governments have pledged to help the world reach its goals, including funding research and science, funding community health initiatives, eradicating polio, and funding the vaccination of children. However, these accomplishments and initiatives are in danger because numerous crises simultaneously place enormous demands on national budgets.

However, COVID-19 taught us that disease outbreaks have the potential to cause more economic and social harm than the necessary investment to prevent and combat them in today’s hyper-connected world. We have learned, outbreak by outbreak, that such investment requires a whole-of-society and whole-of-government response and commitment. At the same time, it demands international solidarity and agreements so countries know, when the next crisis strikes, they can rely on one another, whether that be to share knowledge and countermeasures, or to support actions that prevent major disruptions in international trade and commerce, all in order to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.