On May 18, 2026, The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) welcomed landmark financial commitments from two of the world’s leading health security partners at a World Health Assembly event. The European Union (EU) has committed €73.7 million through its Horizon Europe framework programme, and Singapore has pledged US$12 million to support CEPI’s work to transform the world’s ability to prevent and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats. Against the backdrop of a deeply concerning outbreak of Ebola caused by Bundibugyo virus, these commitments signal important international support for CEPI 3.0 – the coalition’s five-year strategy for 2027-2031 – and CEPI’s urgent work to tackle the growing threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks.

The EU’s financial commitment of €73.7 million will support CEPI’s work in 2026 and 2027, maintaining the current annual level of funding. The EU is a long-standing partner and investor in CEPI’s mission. Supported by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe co-funding, CEPI has advanced vaccines for Chikungunya, Filoviruses, Rift Valley fever and other priority pathogens, strengthening Europe’s and the world’s ability to tackle emerging viral threats in close alignment with the EU’s medical countermeasures and life sciences strategies.

Singapore’s financial commitment of US$12 million from 2027 to 2030 will support the delivery of the CEPI 3.0 strategy. With its strong innovation and manufacturing capabilities and regional reach, Singapore is a valued partner for CEPI across activities including preparing for regional threats, developing globally distributed RNA manufacturing design capabilities, and strengthening regulatory systems. Singapore’s leadership and continued investment in CEPI reflect a shared commitment to global health security and building capabilities that can protect populations in Asia and globally against epidemic and pandemic threats.

Current outbreaks of Hantavirus and Ebola caused by Bundibugyo virus underscore the persistent and evolving threat posed by infectious diseases and the urgent need to strengthen preparedness. Research indicates that the risk of another pandemic on the scale of COVID-19 within our lifetimes is significant, and that global economic losses from future pandemics are estimated to average more than US$700 billion per year. Left unchecked, outbreaks of viruses such as Lassa, Nipah, Rift Valley fever and the next unknown pathogen – known as Disease X – represent an escalating threat to human life, global health systems, and economic stability.

At the same time, the world is better equipped than ever to respond – if it chooses to invest. Advances in vaccinology, genomics, artificial intelligence and biomanufacturing have unlocked the possibility of developing safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new pandemic threats in as little as 100 days of their identification. This goal, known as the 100 Days Mission and endorsed by G7 and G20 leaders, sits at the heart of CEPI 3.0.