Supporting global efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics

Australia will provide $100 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support global efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics.

COVID-19 demonstrated that global challenges require collective action. 

At the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, I announced the Australian Government will provide $75 million in voluntary core funding over five years to the WHO, and a further $25 million for the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.

Our commitment to the WHO will support activities to mitigate the risk of future pandemics, including strengthening national health systems and responding to disease outbreaks.

We will also work with the WHO and partners to support coordinated responses to emerging disease threats in our region, and ensure the global system meets our region’s needs.

Australia is committed to playing our part to strengthen the global health system, so we can be better prepared for future shocks.

We need a strong global health system to help keep Australia, our region, and the world safe. This means a strong, capable WHO with the authority to respond quickly and decisively to complex health emergencies.