Geneva – The Republic of Korea announced a $15 million contribution to global health organization Unitaid to support the implementation of its strategy. $10 million of these funds will support Unitaid’s work in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response by helping countries shift from an acute COVID-19 response to long-term preparedness, and the remaining $5 million will support Unitaid’s programmatic priorities in other disease areas.

Since Unitaid’s inception in 2006, the Republic of Korea has been a key donor and member of its Executive Board, having so far contributed a total of $95 million to support Unitaid’s essential role in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and more recently COVID-19.

“Unitaid is grateful for the Republic of Korea’s longstanding support and increased financial contribution this year to prepare the world for future global health emergencies. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Government of Korea and the private sector,” said Unitaid Executive Director Dr. Philippe Duneton. “Korean industries play a critical role in the development of innovative treatments, tests and tools that Unitaid makes accessible and affordable to those who need them most,” he added.

The announcement comes on the heels of Unitaid’s participation in the 2023 World Bio Summit in Seoul co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and the World Health Organization.

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About Unitaid: Unitaid saves lives by making new health products available and affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries. Unitaid works with partners to identify innovative treatments, tests and tools, helps tackle the market barriers that are holding them back, and gets them to the people who need them most – fast. Since it was created in 2006, Unitaid has unlocked access to more than 100 groundbreaking health products to help address the world’s greatest health challenges, including HIV, TB, and malaria; women’s and children’s health; and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Every year, these products benefit more than 170 million people. Unitaid is a hosted partnership of the World Health Organization.

Media contacts:

For more information and media requests:

Hervé Verhoosel

Head of Communications and Spokesperson

M: +33 6 22 59 73 54

verhooselh@unitaid.who.int

Kyle Wilkinson,

Communications Officer

+41 79 445 17 45

wilkinsonk@unitaid.who.int