G20 health ministers rally support for WHO’s Investment Round

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Published: 2026-09-17T08:21:32.243Z • Permanent link

Brazil's G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro has concluded with significant momentum behind the World Health Organization's Investment Round. Health ministers from over 20 countries, including Brazil's Minister of Health, Marcelo Calero, and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the WHO's initiative to mobilize $100 billion in investments for global health infrastructure by 2025. The meeting, which took place on September 12, was chaired by Brazil's Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, and featured high-level representatives from countries such as China, India, and the European Union.

The Investment Round, launched in 2021, aims to address the pressing need for improved global health infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to the WHO, $130 billion is required annually to build and maintain essential health infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic facilities. The organization has been working closely with governments, private sector partners, and civil society organizations to mobilize the necessary investments and ensure that they are used effectively.

The meeting also saw the launch of a new report, "Global Health Investment: A New Era of Partnerships," which highlights the progress made so far and sets out a roadmap for the next phase of the Investment Round. The report emphasizes the importance of mobilizing private sector capital, leveraging innovative financing instruments, and strengthening partnerships between governments, civil society, and the private sector. Minister of Health Marcelo Calero noted that "the private sector has a critical role to play in mobilizing the necessary investments for global health infrastructure, and we are committed to working with our private sector partners to achieve our goals.

The G20 meeting's support for the Investment Round is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the importance of global health infrastructure in addressing the world's most pressing health challenges, including pandemics, infectious diseases, and maternal and child health. The WHO's Investment Round is seen as a critical step towards building the capacity of low- and middle-income countries to respond to these challenges effectively.

Secondly, the meeting highlights the need for increased investment in global health infrastructure, particularly in Africa and Asia, where health systems are often under-resourced and vulnerable to crises. According to a report by the Global Health Security Index, 72% of countries in Africa and 55% of countries in Asia have inadequate health infrastructure, making them more vulnerable to health crises. The Investment Round's goal of mobilizing $100 billion by 2025 represents a significant increase in investment in global health infrastructure, and it is expected to have a positive impact on health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

The G20 meeting's support for the Investment Round is part of a broader pattern of international cooperation on global health issues. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for global action to address the world's most pressing health challenges, including pandemics, infectious diseases, and maternal and child health. The WHO's Investment Round is seen as a key step towards building the capacity of low- and middle-income countries to respond to these challenges effectively, and it is supported by a range of international partners, including the United States, the European Union, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.