In a world of growing uncertainty, the European Union faces a critical choice: lead or follow. As other global powers disengage from essential health initiatives leaving countless lives at risk, the EU must step up.
That's why we must recommit to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Doing so will make the EU a leader in promoting global health, prosperity, sustainable development, and collective stability and security.
The EU's commitment to these initiatives is becoming increasingly urgent. The United States is backing out of multilateral institutions, including the World Health Organization, and revoking its support for civil society around the world, such as by gutting USAID. At the same time, rival powers like Russia and China are vying for influence in lower-income parts of the world. Their investments increase their influence and can come with political leverage.
Building resilience for a safer world
Conversely, Gavi and the Global Fund are partnership models based on mutual respect, shared benefits and long-term cooperation. By keeping our commitment to them, the EU helps empower African countries, in particular, to drive their own development agenda.
These programmes are not just charity; they are strategic commitments to a shared future, which reflect the EU’s values.
COVID-19 taught us that borders mean nothing in the face of diseases. Strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries is therefore not just an act of generosity, but a matter of our own health security. Gavi and the Global Fund play critical roles in vaccine distribution, early diagnostics, disease prevention and strengthening health systems.
EU investments in Gavi and the Global Fund have saved millions of lives. We can be proud of our work, but those gains are at risk.
Healthy people, healthy economies
The impacts of climate change, conflict and increasing debt distress are hindering progress and threatening hard-fought health achievements in lower-income countries. The ability of these countries to adapt to these challenges will shape the well-being of nearly half of the world's population.
Investing now in resilient health systems will ensure they can withstand external shocks, such as climate disasters and pandemics, later. We have a responsibility to support this resilience by ensuring that the next generation of vaccines, treatments and medical infrastructure are accessible to everyone.
Prosperity begins with healthy populations. By investing in health systems globally, the EU is not just improving lives; it lays the groundwork for new opportunities in trade, investment and economic opportunity. It goes hand-in-hand with initiatives like Global Gateway, which helps develop infrastructure, energy and digitalisation in countries such as Morocco and South Africa.
Seizing the moment
The EU's need to lead in supporting human health and better childhoods worldwide has never been clearer. In the past mandate, the EU took significant strides in global health. The COVID-19 crisis showed the value of our leadership and we must not let this moment slip away.
Renewed investment in Gavi and the Global Fund would mean the EU could demonstrate its commitment to global health and secure its future. This is an investment in health security, pandemic preparedness, and economic growth for our partners — and for ourselves.
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