Flexible funds

Flexible funds

For a strong, agile, independent WHO

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The municipality of Quibdo, Colombia won a Malaria Champion award for its work in challenging environments, among vulnerable populations. Above, an indigenous girl collects seeds in Quibdo.
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What is flexible funding?

For WHO to fulfill its role as the leading and directing authority on global health, it is critical to ensure it has flexible and sustainable funds available that can be rapidly allocated and used when and where needed.

WHO receives different types of flexible funding: fully flexible funding sources include Member States’ dues – known as assessed contributions – and contributions to the Core Voluntary Contributions Account (CVCA). WHO also receives thematic contributions, which provide a relatively high degree of flexibility (aligned with work for each billion in the Thirteenth General Programme of Work – GPW 13).

WHO is very grateful to all donors, and gives special thanks to those who have provided flexible contributions. 

 


Top 15 Thematic Contributors to WHO 2022-23
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All CVCA Contributors to WHO 2022-23
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NOTE: The amounts represent the revenue received by WHO for the period stated. Figures in the Budget Portal may vary, as they represent funds available net of programme support costs

Visit the Budget Portal for the latest on voluntary contributions and more.

Core voluntary contributions
  
Voluntary contributions - Thematic

View stories and reports from the ground from the Results Report 2022–2023, none of which would have been possible without flexible funds:

Results Report 2022–2023

                                                                                         


"I am immensely grateful to Member States and partners for the support and trust they have demonstrated in providing core voluntary contributions, and in giving us the flexibility we need to carry out our mission and mandate."

- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, 2022


 

 

executive board 144 eb dr tedros speaking

WHO needs flexible and sustainable financing

Sustainable financing – that is, funding that is sufficient, flexible and predictable – is essential for WHO to fulfil its role and mandate. Only with sustainable financing can WHO secure and retain talent and expertise and remain free from undue influence on its work. A strong, independent WHO is needed to protect the world from disease and other threats, and work towards health for all. 

Member States’ commitments to sustainable financing for WHO

Between early 2021 and April 2022, Member States formed the WHO Sustainable Financing Working Group to find long-term solutions for the financing of WHO.

The recommendations of the Working Group, presented to the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly, seek agreement to fully fund the core budget of WHO with flexible funds, including through a regular increase of assessed contributions, which will rise  gradually, starting in 2024, with a view to cover 50% of the base budget agreed on for 2022-2023 before 2030-2031, and by 2028-2029 if possible.

The Working Group also recommends initiatives to strengthen governance, transparency, accountability, efficiency and compliance, and requests that the WHO Secretariat work with an agile Member State task group to build on budgetary oversight and accountability initiatives.