Health Financing: an investment, not a cost, Organisers: WHO Civil Society Commission, WHO, Save the Children

10 December, 1:00 PM- 2:30 PM CET

Organisers: WHO Civil Society Commission, WHO, Save the Children

The recent reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) have laid bare the risk of over-reliance on ODA for core health services. These rapid cuts in aid have had a seismic impact, negatively impacting maternal, newborn, and child health, and underscoring the urgent need for countries to take greater ownership of financing their national health systems. Simultaneously, this moment presents a critical opportunity for the global health community to explore alternative, more sustainable funding approaches and several significant responses have already emerged.

At the WHA78 in May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a landmark resolution to strengthen global health financing, calling for increased domestic investment and deeper governance reforms. The Africa Health Sovereignty Summit, held in August 2025, launched critical initiatives to promote country-led, investment-driven health systems in Africa. Also, African Finance and Health Ministers held their first joint meeting in early October, modelled on the G20 Finance and Health Ministers’ format. In parallel, WHO is developing the Global Strategy on the Economics of Health for All, for consideration at the EB158 in 2026. This work is essential to shifting the perception of health from a cost to a vital investment in national development and economic growth.

Civil society is a powerful catalyst for change, and it is vital that they understand the latest developments in health financing to engage effectively in policy discussions at all levels. Therefore, this series aims to strengthen civil society engagement and consult on key issues and initiatives. It is part of a series of three dialogues on health financing, culminating in a high-level session with the WHO Director-General in April 2026 ahead of WHA79. The outcomes will inform a potential WHA79 side event. The outcomes of these sessions will inform a potential side event at WHA79. 

This first session will reframe the narrative of health spending from a governmental cost to a vital investment in society that drives stronger economic and social outcomes. Civil society members will also be invited to provide input on the Global Strategy on the Economics of Health for All.

Objectives for the first dialogue:

1. Mobilise civil society, including youth, ahead of the WHA79, to enable meaningful engagement on the health financing agenda;
2. Engage in consultations on the Global Strategy on the Economics for Health for All to operationalise a health-centred economic agenda;
3. Push for accountability in implementing global commitments, including nationally appropriate spending targets for health investments, as outlined in the 2023 Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC);
4. Build consensus on the definition and principles of sustainable health financing.

Expected outcomes of the series of dialogues

1. Concrete recommendations and asks to present to the WHO Director-General and other WHO senior leadership in the final session of this CSO Dialogue series ahead of WHA79;
2. Advocacy messages to be taken forward by civil society to influence upcoming WHA/UNGA resolutions, push for domestic commitments, and influence donor approaches;
3. Strengthened civil society's positioning on health financing;
4. Summary report to guide future engagement with WHO, donors, GHIs, and Member States.