Dear Chair,

We reaffirm our strong support for WHO and welcome the progress made in the implementation of the Programme Budget 2024–2025 in light of difficult circumstances.

We commend WHO’s commitment to prioritising core functions and implementing the necessary structural reforms. This is an exceptionally difficult process that requires hard decisions and swift action, but they are necessary for WHO to be and remain fit for purpose. We commend WHO for their transparent communication and all the information that has been shared to date. We call on all Member States to support WHO in implementing these reforms at all governance levels.

We strongly support that the implementation of requests to DG contained in resolutions and decisions will take into account the operationalization of the PPB 26-27.

We welcome the results of the Investment Round and commend the strong collective engagements. The commitments made represent a promising step towards more sustainable and predictable financing.

We note that significant operational gaps remain. These gaps underline the importance of financial flexibility. We remain seriously concerned about the persistent imbalance between flexible and earmarked funding which limits WHO’s ability to respond timely as well as strategically to already established and evolving priorities. We commend WHO for its on-going efforts to broaden its funding base and simultaneously encourage Member States to provide predictable and unearmarked contributions whenever possible. The Organization needs as much financial flexibility as possible in order to overcome the current financial situation.

While the Secretariat confirmed that the temporary suspension of Financial Regulation VIII, 8.2. is a necessary short-term measure, we underline the need to restore a structurally balanced budget over a medium term.

We look forward to the regular updates to Member States on the staffing realignment process linked to the prioritization process, plans to bridge gaps for the current biennium and on the allocation of flexible funding.

The EU and its Member States remain committed to advancing sustainable financing and strengthening accountability and transparency of the Organization.

Thank you.