Unitaid welcomes a new US$15 million contribution from the Republic of Korea which will support Unitaid’s efforts to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in low- and middle-income countries and advance global health security. Â
The recent adoption of the Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly marked a key step towards building stronger, more resilient health systems worldwide. Funding from the Republic of Korea will enable Unitaid to advance implementation of the agreement, drawing on its expertise in expanding access to lifesaving health innovations, shaping markets, building strategic partnerships, and making catalytic investments to bring health tools and treatments to communities in need. Â
“At a time when we risk seeing global health progress slip backwards, I commend South Korea’s leadership in championing equitable access to health innovations,” said Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid. “Their latest funding commitment helps secure the continuity of Unitaid’s work, which aims to help countries prepare for and respond effectively to future global health emergencies.”Â
Thanks to this new funding, Unitaid will advance innovation in diagnostics and treatment to support their uptake in line with national health priorities; expand regional manufacturing to strengthen supply chains building on two new major regional manufacturing initiatives launched earlier this year; enhance capabilities to accelerate the evaluation, market entry, and roll-out of new health tools; and reinforce international coordination to ensure timely and equitable access to lifesaving tools during future pandemics. Unitaid will also draw on its experience leading the ACT-Accelerator during the COVID-19 pandemic to support coordination for the development of urgently needed therapeutics for pandemic and endemic viral diseases, in line with WHO’s R&D Blueprint, through a Therapeutic Development Coalition and in close alignment with i-MCM-Net to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures.
The Republic of Korea has been a strong support of Unitaid since 2008, with a total contribution of US$132 million. Their continued commitment underscores Korea’s role as a global health leader and a critical partner in shaping the future of equitable access to lifesaving innovations. Â
For more on our partnership with the Republic of Korea, please see: Advancing health innovation: Unitaid and the Republic of KoreaÂ
Kyle Wilkinson
Communications officer
+41 79 445 17 45
wilkinsonk@unitaid.who.int
