Geneva – The German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) today announced a contribution of €130 million to the World Health Organization by 2023, reinforcing Germany’s role as a world leader in health and one of the strongest supporters of the WHO.
“We are happy to contribute €130 million to WHO this year. It is clear to us: WHO has played an important role in successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to protect the world from future health emergencies.” said Dr. Lauterbach said.
The contribution supports WHO in key priority areas such as antimicrobial resistance, health emergencies, health systems strengthening and WHO reforms. The funds will be channeled to the WHO-BMG collaborative programme, WHO’s COVID-19 response and the WHO’s Epidemic and Pandemic Intelligence Center in Berlin.
Increased flexible funding from Germany will provide vital support to WHO’s core programme.
Germany was the largest overall contributor to WHO in the 2020-2021 biennium and second in 2022, and the country has been the largest donor to ACT-Accelerator, a global collaboration to rapidly develop, produce and distribute vaccines, tests and treatments against COVID-19.
Dr Lauterbach announced the contribution in the presence of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the 152nd session of the WHO Executive Board.
“Germany has shown exceptional political leadership and vision in helping to shape the global architecture for health, with a stronger and sustainably financed WHO at its center, and a pandemic deal based on equity and solidarity.” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director. General. “We continue to look to Germany for their support, partnership and leadership as we work together, in solidarity and with a long-term vision to build a safer, healthier and more just world.”
Germany is the largest donor to the WHO Emergency Contingency Fund, one of WHO’s most powerful tools for immediate response to acute health emergencies around the world.
Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO and HE Dr Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Health of Germany