IMF, World Bank, and WHO strengthen cooperation on pandemic preparedness

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), and World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed to collaborate on strengthening pandemic preparedness, leveraging their expertise to support countries in preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats. This cooperation involves using the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), the WBG’s financial and technical resources, and WHO’s technical expertise to build more resilient health systems.

The RST provides eligible countries with access to long-term, low-interest financing to implement reforms that address structural challenges, such as pandemic threats, which impact economic stability. Through this partnership, the IMF, WBG, and WHO will work within their mandates to support pandemic preparedness by aligning their in-country operations and expertise.

Key areas of focus include policy reforms and investments to strengthen health system resilience. The IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) will concentrate on macro-critical policy reforms, while WHO and WBG will lead health-related development policies. Each institution’s expertise will be used to ensure a coordinated approach that maximizes financial resources and technical support.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted the importance of collaboration: “This partnership will help our members enhance pandemic preparedness and strengthen health system resilience.”

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, “The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for robust health systems, and this collaboration will unlock critical financing.”

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga emphasized the need for proactive planning, stating, “We must prepare aggressively for future health crises to ensure rapid responses when they arise.”

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