Geneva: The World Health Organization has launched a new ‘health policy’.Investment Rounds’ aim to increase US$7 billion This comes before the 77th fund. World Health Assembly The meeting will begin on Monday at the headquarters of the 194-member US agency.

Who Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Sunday that the increased commitment would contribute $4 billion to the agency’s $11.1 billion budget over the four years from 2025 to 2028.

On his social media platform X, the WHO chief said the world is grappling with multiple challenges such as conflict, climate change, displacement, poverty, inequality, polarisation, disease outbreaks, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions.

“The WHO Investment Round aims to mobilise US$7 billion over four years to support countries to respond to these challenges,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

Addressing a media briefing last week, the WHO chief said the ‘investment round’ has been created to ensure that voluntary contributions, which currently account for the majority of WHO’s funding, will be more predictable, flexible and sustainable.

“Our new investment case outlines why and how supporting WHO is essential to advance global health and save millions of lives. It will be launched during the Assembly on 28 May,” Tedros said.

The 77th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from 27 May to 1 June under the theme “Health for all, health for all.”

The investment round is a result of the recommendations of the WHO Working Group on Sustainable Financing and was approved at the 154th meeting of the WHO Executive Board in January 2024.

This will ensure funding for the 14th Ordinary Programme of Work, the World Health Organisation’s strategy.

During Sunday’s event, Brazil announced that as part of its G20 presidency, the country would host high-level events, including a leaders’ summit in November, to support the investment round and encourage countries to join the initiative.

Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, announced a contribution of US$4 million to a fully flexible fund for the investment round and the intention to make further contributions.

“Health care is a fundamental human right and we must continue to invest in the World Health Organization to protect our health. Unity is the key to our success,” said Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwari, according to a WHO statement.

France, Germany and Norway announced that they would serve as co-hosts for the investment round.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization. It consists of representatives from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.

At last week’s media briefing, the WHO chief said during the gathering, the UN agency will launch a new global health strategy – developed in partnership with 194 Member States and partners – that sets out a path to put the world on track to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. (ANI)