China increases WHO financial support by $500 million, countering budget reductions
China's State Council Vice Premier, Liu Guozhong, announced on Tuesday at the World Health Assembly in Geneva that China will provide an additional $500 million (16.42 billion baht) to the World Health Organization (WHO) over the next five years, according to Reuters.
Liu stated in his speech that the world currently faces challenges to global health security due to unilateralism and power politics. He added that multilateralism is the key to addressing these difficulties. With the United Nations agency seeking additional funding to offset the anticipated loss of its largest donor, the United States, China's increased pledge may position it to become the WHO's top donor.
The WHO has already reduced its 2026-2027 budget by 21% to $4.2 billion (137.95 billion baht) due to financial difficulties, primarily caused by the Trump administration's decision. The new budget, scheduled for assembly approval on Tuesday, will increase member states' mandatory contributions by 20% over the next two years. It remains unclear whether China's $500 million donation already includes this increase.
The increased funding from China, along with contributions from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other nations, will help to stabilize the WHO's financing during a time of uncertainty. This is crucial for maintaining and expanding programs essential for global health security. The move underscores the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing complex health challenges and reinforces the agency's leading and coordinating role internationally.
- The increased pledge by China, potentially making it the WHO's top donor, is a strategic move aimed at addressing the anticipated loss of funding from the United States.
- Liu Guozhong, in his speech, emphasized the need for multilateralism to combat the challenges to global health security exacerbated by unilateralism and power politics.
- The WHO's budget for the 2026-2027 period has been reduced by 21% to $4.2 billion, primarily due to the Trump administration's decision, and the new budget proposes a 20% increase in member states' mandatory contributions over the next two years.
- Along with contributions from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other nations, China's $500 million donation will help maintain and expand programs crucial for global health security, underscoring the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing complex health challenges.
