The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have renewed their collaboration to strengthen global health systems and advance universal health coverage (UHC) with the launch of Phase V (2025–2028) of the UHC Partnership. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York City by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Under this new phase, the EU has pledged €40 million, with an additional contribution expected in 2027, to support resilient, equitable, and people-centred health systems. As a founding and leading donor, the EU enables WHO to provide long-term, in-country technical support aligned with national health priorities, reinforcing the global effort to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since its inception in 2011, the UHC Partnership has helped over 115 countries implement inclusive health reforms, improve governance, enhance service delivery, strengthen health financing, and respond to health emergencies, benefiting more than 3 billion people worldwide. Phase V will focus on countries with critical gaps in health systems, promoting domestic resource mobilization, advancing the Lusaka Agenda, and supporting prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and well-being.
Commissioner Jozef Síkela highlighted the importance of strong health systems as the foundation for sustainable development and resilience, emphasizing that the EU’s investment aligns with its Global Gateway strategy and commitment to accessible, quality health services for all. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that partnership is key to ensuring no one is left behind, and that the renewed collaboration will translate global health commitments into national action.
Key priorities for Phase V include strengthening health financing, governance, reforms, and policy dialogue for self-reliant health systems; strategic planning, evidence-informed priority setting, and health system assessments to enhance sector performance; delivering integrated, high-quality, affordable services, including sexual and reproductive health and NCD care, through a primary health care (PHC) approach; and promoting equity, gender equality, and climate resilience in health systems.
Phase V reinforces the shared vision of health for all, aligning with the EU Global Health Strategy and WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14), ensuring sustainable, equitable, and resilient health systems worldwide.
