On December 6, 2025, in Tokyo, the Global Financing Facility (GFF) welcomed a US$100 million pledge from the Gates Foundation to support the GFF’s new five-year strategy for 2026–2030. This funding reinforces the shared goal of ending preventable deaths among women, children, and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries and will help expand access to life-saving services while transforming health systems in GFF-eligible countries. The pledge was announced by Ankur Vora, Chief Strategy Officer at the Gates Foundation, during the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum.
Over the past decade, the GFF has mobilized US$2.5 billion in grants and leveraged over US$11 billion in World Bank financing, enabling countries to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes. This support has helped millions of women access antenatal care, experience safer births, gain access to modern contraception, and receive improved nutrition services across GFF-supported countries.
As global health financing becomes more complex, sustained support for country-led efforts is critical to strengthening health systems, improving access to essential medicines and supplies, and securing long-term domestic financing. Mamta Murthi, Vice President for People at the World Bank Group and Chair of the GFF Trust Fund Committee, emphasized that the new strategy aims to ensure investments are sustained, strategic, scaled, and reach the most vulnerable communities. She highlighted the Gates Foundation’s early commitment as a key signal for accelerating progress and building resilient health systems.
A central focus of the GFF’s next strategic period is equipping countries to navigate evolving challenges by unlocking additional financing, directing resources to communities with the greatest need, scaling proven tools, and strengthening systems to withstand shocks. The Gates Foundation’s renewed support will fuel these efforts, enabling countries to improve health outcomes while advancing broader development goals.
Ankur Vora noted that country-led solutions, combined with financing models that multiply the impact of every dollar, are critical for achieving meaningful results for mothers and children. The Gates Foundation’s renewed commitment builds on over US$500 million contributed to the GFF since 2015, reinforcing the partnership’s ongoing role in improving health systems and outcomes for women, children, and adolescents globally.
