WHO’s 156th Executive Board Meeting Considers Course of Action for Health Agency

Written by Camden Malone, United Nations Foundation

Last updated February 25, 2025

 

In early February, the World Health Organization’s Executive Board (WHO EB) convened its semi-annual meeting amid a rapidly changing ecosystem for global health practice and governance. From upholding WHO’s normative role to making decisions on its programmatic functions, the governing body continues to demonstrate its relevance as a leading global health agenda-setter. 

Finance forecast in focus

The timing of this meeting gave the Executive Board and all WHO Member States an opportunity to take stock of the current and future financial landscape for the Organization. Heading into the next four-year program of work, WHO was already facing budgetary constraints, and this financial situation is made worse by the United States’ intent to withdraw from the Organization. 

As planning for the 2026-2027 budget got underway, the envelope for the base budget was initially pegged at $5.3 billion for the two years, representing a $355.9 million increase from 2024-2025. Member State discussion ultimately resulted in a recommendation to reduce the budget to $4.9 billion, representing zero nominal growth over the last biennial budget. This further constrains the Organization’s ability to deliver on the ever-growing mandate given by its Member States. 

Recent reform efforts to improve the quality and sustainability of WHO’s financing have attempted to address the risk posed by reliance on a handful of large donors, but such reforms face headwinds. During the Executive Board meeting, China and Russia indicated they would not endorse the next phase of the reform process, which obliges Member States to a 20% increase in assessed contributions (the fully-flexible membership dues paid by Member States). 

The financial outlook influenced how the 34 Member States of the EB were able to manage their governing duties. Board members felt it would not be prudent to impose new costs on the budget by adopting the decisions and resolutions tabled at this meeting. 

After several days’ delay, the group eventually advanced seven resolutions and 40 decisions. However, these issues will be considered within a much broader prioritization exercise to identify which of the Organization’s vital functions must be preserved between now and the World Health Assembly in May. 

Plans to strengthen WHO for a healthier and more resilient world

Entering a complex period of both austerity and ambition, the Executive Board considered WHO’s indispensable role in helping Member States address major global health challenges, including: 

• Accelerating progress on universal health coverage (UHC): More than half the people in the world (4.5 billion) are still unable to access one or more essential health services, and roughly 2 billion face financial hardship due to out-of-pocket health spending. Member States recognized that revitalized progress toward SDG3 targets will require substantial effort to mobilize and effectively deploy increasingly limited resources. WHO plays a crucial role in supporting country-led efforts toward UHC and primary health care through sustainable, domestically financed health systems aligned with the Lusaka Agenda and referenced in a resolution led by Nigeria. 

• Health workforce strengthening: A shortage of 11 million health workers is projected by 2030, and this gap is expected to increase without immediate action. The Executive Board appreciated the steps taken by WHO to address this shortfall, including the establishment of the WHO Academy. It underscored that a well-trained and well-equipped workforce is the backbone for achieving a wide breadth of health and development goals.  

• Health emergencies prevention and response: In a nine-month span last year, WHO responded to 45 graded emergencies in 87 countries and territories. This included emerging outbreaks of cholera, dengue, polio, and avian influenza, as well as Marburg and Sudan virus disease (SVD). In the backdrop of this EB meeting, Uganda’s outbreak of SVD – a highly fatal species of Ebola virus – drew attention to WHO’s work on the ground, including the preposition of medical supplies, collaborative surveillance, development of medical countermeasures, and training of emergency medical teams. These services of the WHO Emergencies Programme are covered roughly 25% by U.S. funding. 

• Countering the growing threat of substandard and falsified medicines: Member States also cited the growing threat of substandard and falsified medicines. One in ten medicines in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified, causing one million deaths per year. 87 medicines and other products passed through WHO’s prequalification program (i.e. global regulatory approval) in 2024.  

What’s next for WHO?

This Executive Board meeting previewed a historic year ahead for WHO and global health. The success of WHO’s transformation agenda, which is more critical now than ever, hinges on sustained political and financial support from all who benefit from its vital contributions. 

About the Author

Camden Malone advances the global health agenda through engagement with UN Member States on a wide range of health policy issues, including universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response. Prior to the United Nations Foundation, Camden worked at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN, covering intergovernmental negotiations related to health and human rights. Camden holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York; and a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the College of Saint Rose. 

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