The World Health Organization received preliminary approval on Monday for a $6.83 billion budget for the next two years, which includes a 20% increase in mandatory membership costs.
As the United Nations Health Organization began its annual decision-making assembly, member nations in a crucial committee unanimously approved the budget.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the move “historic and a significant milestone.”
The budget must still be agreed by all member countries at the end of the 10-day event, but this is largely a formality.
The decision comes after the assembly agreed to a drastic revamp of WHO funding last year.
Following the Covid 19 pandemic, countries agreed on the need for more consistent and secure support.
The WHO is substantially supported by its 194 member countries.
The percentage of revenue from forced membership fees – “assessed contributions” calculated based on wealth and population – had shrunk to less than one-fifth, with the remainder coming from “voluntary contributions.”
This hampered WHO’s ability to respond to crises such as Covid-19, the Ukrainian war, and other health emergencies.
The assembly voted last year to gradually boost the membership fee share to 50% by the 2030-31 budget cycle at the latest.
