WHO News

Timor-Leste certified malaria-free by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritized the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002.“WHO congratulates the people and government of Timor-Leste on this significant milestone,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Timor-Leste’s success proves that malaria can be stopped in its tracks when strong po

health  Jul 23, 2025

WHO News

African Union and World Health Organization renew strategic partnership to drive impact and strengthen health systems in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) Commission renewed their longstanding strategic partnership today with the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. This renewed agreement reaffirms the joint commitment to advancing health security, universal health coverage, and sustainable development across the African continent at a time of unprecedented financial challenges in the global health landsca

health  May 24, 2025

WHO News

WHO’s strategic engagement with philanthropies: advancing global health and resilient health systems

Philanthropic support plays a vital role in enabling countries to build stronger health systems and advance towards health equity. From vaccine equity and pandemic preparedness to primary health care, the contributions of philanthropic partners help drive progress across WHO’s key priorities.The importance of philanthropic support was underscored by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in his recent remarks to the Philanthropy Asia Summit, held in Singapore on 5–7 May

health  May 19, 2025

WHO News

Worldwide rally for maternal and newborn health marks World Health Day 2025

On the occasion of the World Health Day 2025 dedicated to the theme of Healthier beginnings, hopeful futures, over 100 global WHO offices have organized wide-ranging public advocacy actions in collaboration with Member States, communities, health workers, partner and donor agencies and civil society organizations.

health  Apr 10, 2025

WHO News

Strengthening public health across Lebanon with EIB Global

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB Global), met at the EIB Group Forum in Luxembourg and signed an agreement for a €10 million grant to strengthen public health across Lebanon. The initiative will re-establish Lebanon's Central Public Health Laboratory and prioritize medication provision and healthcare support to over 50 000 people with chronic diseases like diabetes, car

health  Apr 1, 2025

WHO News

Frank, in-depth discussion as Belgium and WHO map ahead priorities for collaboration

In a three-day strategic dialogue, Belgium and WHO reviewed progress in their longstanding partnership, and agreed to further boost their collaboration on universal health coverage, health-systems strengthening and equitable access to essential vaccines, medicines and health technologies. The Belgian delegation – headed by H.E. Christophe Payot, Ambassador of Belgium to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva – discussed issues of strategic importance, exchanged views

health  Mar 11, 2025

WHO News

WHO and Switzerland cement cooperation until 2028

WHO and Switzerland have announced the renewal of their cooperation strategy for the period 2024-2028. In 2013, Switzerland became the first high-income country in the WHO European Region to pilot a cooperation strategy with WHO (hereafter referred to as the WHO-Switzerland Cooperation Strategy). In 2022, WHO and Switzerland jointly decided to update and renew this cooperation strategy, which was done on 4 March 2025 at the Regional Office of the WHO in Copenhagen, Denmark.

health  Mar 7, 2025

WHO News

WHO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sign agreements in support of health priorities

The Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum 2025 was a significant event that underscored the continued partnership between WHO and KSrelief, as well as with other international partners to address critical humanitarian health crises. The agreements made during the forum are pivotal in combating diseases like malaria, cholera, and polio, and ensuring better healthcare for displaced populations. The forum also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to global humanitarian efforts, reaffirmi

health  Mar 6, 2025

WHO News

WHO comments on United States’ announcement of intent to withdraw

The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organization.

health  Jan 21, 2025

WHO News

Luxembourg and WHO sign two strategic agreements

A Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) with the Ministry of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and multiyear agreement with the Ministry of Health and Social Safety was signed on 20 December 2024. By signing two new partnership agreements, Luxembourg reaffirmed its continued support for WHO to fulfill a shared mission to promote, provide and protect health.

health  Dec 23, 2024

WHO News

G20 health ministers rally support for WHO’s Investment Round

Ministers of Health expressed their support for WHO's Investment Round during a G20 meeting chaired by Brazil held today in Rio de Janeiro.

health  Oct 31, 2024

WHO News

Fourteen African countries, key partners unite to provide critical resources for health in WHO’s first-ever Investment Round

In an unprecedented show of unity in support of the World Health Organization, 14 African countries and many partners pledged over US$ 45 million to the WHO Investment Round, a three-month-old initiative aimed at generating sustainable financing for the organization at the center of the global health architecture. The commitments were made during the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, with heads of state and government from across the continent underscoring the import

health  Aug 27, 2024

WHO News

India commits US$ 85 million to WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre

The WHO-India donor agreement is part of a US$ 250 million investment from India in support of the establishment of the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in 2022, which includes financial support for the workplan of the Centre, interim premises and a new building. This support will scale up WHO’s capacities on traditional medicine across technical divisions and regions in the spirit of global collaboration and solidarity. Part of this substantial contribution from the Government of India

health  Jul 31, 2024

WHO News

WHO launches unique training course to enable parliamentarians in global health security

The World Health Organization has released "The Role of Parliaments and Parliamentarians in Strengthening Health Security Preparedness", an online training course. This essential resource aims to equip parliamentarians with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance global health security efforts.

health  Jul 12, 2024

WHO News

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) supports the implementation of WHO's extended 13th General Programme of Work with flexible funding

Ahead of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Core Contribution Agreement to support the implementation of WHO’s extended Thirteenth General Programme of Work.The agreement entails a contribution of US$ 4 million from the State of Qatar to WHO, through QFFD, aimed at enhancing the Organization's efforts in addressing global health challenges. This partnership underscores the State of

health  May 23, 2024

WHO News

Ireland and WHO work together to improve access to assistive technology globally

Ireland is becoming a global leader in the field of innovation in harnessing digital technologies as a tool to address various barriers for access to care. In alignment with WHO, Ireland recognizes the importance of mobilizing assistive technology to help the 2.5 billion people in need globally, including older persons, people with disabilities, and those living with health conditions. This includes ensuring equitable access to assistive products such as glasses, hearing aids, walking aids, whee

health  May 17, 2024

WHO News

Governments agree to continue their steady progress on proposed pandemic agreement ahead of the World Health Assembly

Governments of the world today agreed to continue working on a proposed pandemic agreement, and to further refine the draft, ahead of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly that starts 27 May 2024.Governments meeting at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva agreed to resume hybrid and in-person discussions over coming weeks to advance work on critical issues, including around a proposed new global system for pathogen access and benefits sharing (i.e. life-saving vaccines, treat

health  May 10, 2024

WHO News

Spain's Secretary of State for Health discusses health priorities with WHO

WHO welcomed Mr Javier Padilla Bernáldez, Spain’s Secretary of State for Health and his delegation on 23 and 24 April 2024 to discuss joint global health priorities. Amongst others, Spain's focus is on universal health coverage and health systems strengthening; pandemic response and emergency medical teams; organ and tissue transplantation; malaria and other tropical diseases; and polio.During the visit, participants focused on plans and on-going work across a number of areas, inclu

health  Apr 25, 2024

WHO News

Enhancing Global Health and Well-Being: WHO and the Netherlands strengthen their Partnership

WHO and Netherlands Strategic Dialogue in The Hague, Netherlands 10 April 2024. Credit: Michel Mees PhotographyThe WHO and the Netherlands convened in The Hague on 10 April 2024, to discuss joint priorities and alignment between the Dutch Global Health Strategy and WHO’s key strategic goals, marking a new milestone in their longstanding partnership.Rooted in the Netherlands' unwavering commitment to global health, human rights, and universal access to comprehensive health services, the col

health  Apr 12, 2024