The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to work together to strengthen pandemic preparedness worldwide. This historic collaboration will enable countries to access critical financing, technical expertise, and support to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
The IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) will provide eligible member countries with long-term financing at low interest rates to address structural challenges to economic stability posed by pandemics. Meanwhile, the WBG will offer financial and technical support, and WHO will provide technical expertise and in-country capabilities.
Key Areas of Collaboration:
- Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness: IMF, WBG, and WHO will leverage their expertise to strengthen pandemic preparedness in member countries.
- Improved Health System
Resilience: Countries will work to enhance their health systems’ ability to respond to all health emergencies.
- Effective Policy Reforms: Collaboration will focus on macro-critical policy reforms, institutional, and public financial management reforms.
Leaders’ Commitment
Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, emphasized that this collaboration will help institutions complement each other’s expertise to strengthen pandemic preparedness and health system resilience. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the need for new financing sources to bolster health systems. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga stressed the importance of aggressive planning and preparation for the next global health crisis.
This united effort will better serve countries’ efforts on pandemic preparedness, ultimately protecting lives and livelihoods worldwide.
WHO/Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
