On Oct. 2, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a contribution agreement in the amount of $90 million in flexible funding to support of the implementation of the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. This contribution was part of the $500 million pledged following the G20 summit on Mar. 26, 2020. Over the past five years, the Kingdom contributed over $300 Million to WHOﾒs operations in various countries including Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, among others.

The contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is critical to WHO’s efforts to support countries that are struggling to contain COVID-19: this contribution will enable WHO to continue strengthening country readiness and response operations, accelerating priority research and innovation and coordination of the response at global, regional and country level as set out in the Organizations Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a longstanding partnership with WHO and is a strong supporter of global public health initiatives. Over the past five years alone the Kingdom has contributed over US$ 300 Million to WHO’s operations in various countries including Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, among others.