WHO chief dr. Tedros: We live in a time of multiple overlapping challenges

"We live in a time of multiple overlapping challenges, conflict, climate change, displacement, poverty, inequality, and polarization. The ever-present threat of pandemics, the growing burden of non-combatable diseases, the steady march of antimicrobial resistance, and the mounting health impacts of climate change.
Meeting these complex and overlapping challenges requires a clear plan and the resources to implement it. At the World Health Assembly in May, WHO member states adapted the plan, the 14th General Programme of Work, with an ambitious target to save 40 million lives over the next four years. Tonight, we have taken a huge step toward mobilizing the resources we need to implement that plan. For far too long, WHO has operated with unpredictable, inflexible, unsustainable funding that prevents us from delivering the long-term support that countries need. This investment round and other initiatives we have started, like the membership fee increase or the assets contribution and the establishment of the WHO Foundation will help us to address these challenges. And as you can see, it has already started elevating the problems. The investment round builds on the foundation of the assessed contribution that our member states have agreed. It's also designed to put WHO on a more stable financial footing so we are less reliant on a handful of large donors. We know that we are making this ask at a time of competing priorities and limited resources. That's why I have asked every member state and every partner to step up. And I know that Chancellor Scholl and his team have been making the same request in the lead up to this event. Thank you once again, Chancellor, for your personal commitment. Every contribution counts."