Policy Updates

On May 20, 2025, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. criticized the WHO and asserted that it was unfit to lead global health cooperation in a video address shown at the 78^th WHA.

Kennedy asserted that the WHO has not addressed its COVID-19 failures or made significant reforms to its bureaucratic structure. He also criticized the agency's recently adopted pandemic agreement, reiterating the US will not participate. He acknowledged the WHO's historic role in smallpox eradication but claimed its priorities now reflect corporate medicine biases and political agendas, including promoting harmful ‘gender ideology.’

Kennedy urged national health ministers to join the US in a "new era of cooperation." The US did not send an official delegation to the WHA and withdrew from the WHO in January 2025.

On May 20, 2025, during a State Department budget hearing, several US Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee expressed regret over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's confirmation and sharply criticized recent action on foreign assistance.

The Trump administration took action to dissolve and integrate USAID into the State Department in early 2025, resulting in considerable reductions in the capacity to provide foreign assistance. Democrats contended that the elimination of USAID was unlawful and emphasized the adverse effects of reducing foreign assistance. Rubio was also accused by several Democrats of overstating the amount of wasted foreign assistance dollars.

Rubio challenged claims that diminished foreign assistances would cede influence to global competitors, asserting that the US will continue to be the largest foreign assistance contributor globally.

On May 19, 2025, Japan committed US$17 million to support Ethiopia’s infectious disease control efforts through a bilateral agreement signed in Addis Ababa in which the funding will finance the construction and equipping of a specialized facility at St. Peter Hospital with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, enhancing Ethiopia’s capacity to manage infectious diseases.

The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Japanese Ambassador Shibata Hironori, also prioritizes quality of care improvements, disease prevention, and capacity building. Shide described the initiative as a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s healthcare system, while Ambassador Hironori emphasized Japan’s commitment to Ethiopia’s development and global health contributions through platforms like GAVI and the Global Fund.

This collaboration underscores over a century of Ethiopia-Japan diplomatic relations and aligns with Japan’s broader efforts to strengthen Africa-Japan partnerships, including the upcoming TICAD 9 summit. The project aims to establish a center of excellence for infectious disease treatment, leveraging cutting-edge technology for efficient diagnosis and care.

On May 18, 2025, German Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken announced an additional EUR10million (US$11 million) in funding for the WHO ahead of the World Health Assembly, emphasizing Germany’s commitment to WHO reforms and pandemic preparedness following the US’ withdrawal from the organization.

The World Health Assembly, scheduled from May 19-27, 2025, will focus on adopting an international pandemic agreement. This agreement includes provisions to enhance global pandemic prevention, data sharing, and equitable vaccine access. Pharmaceutical companies will commit to donating 10% of vaccine production to WHO and selling another 10% at affordable prices for distribution to lower-income countries.

Germany’s contribution builds on its total funding of US$323 million for 2024–2025, underscoring its support for WHO’s core tasks, including global health monitoring and equitable healthcare access. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus praised Germany’s leadership in strengthening global health systems and pandemic resilience.

On May 16, 2025, Canada announced over CAD60 million (US$43 million) in support of UN peace operations during the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlinwhich seek to tackle tactical airlift for peacekeeping, specialized training, advancing the WPS agenda, and enhanced protection of civilians through the Elsie Initiative.

Canadian ministers emphasized the importance of modernizing peace operations to address current conflicts. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand highlighted peacekeeping as a collective effort that aligns with Canada’s interests. Minister of National Defense David McGuinty reiterated Canada’s dedication to improving UN operations through training and airlift capabilities. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and global stability.

The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial focused on strengthening peacekeeping by addressing capability gaps and fostering innovation. As the 8^th largest financial contributor to UN peace operations, Canada continues to lead in promoting effective and inclusive peacebuilding efforts.

On May 16, 2025, the KOICA and Tajikistan signed agreements for two ODA projects totaling US$19 million which aim to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change in the Rudaki and Hisor regions.

The first project, valued at US$11 million, focuses on modernizing irrigation systems in Rudaki by upgrading pumping stations and providing essential equipment like excavators and bulldozers. This project is expected to benefit over 30,000 residents by improving water access for farming.

The second project, with an investment of US$8 million, will establish smart greenhouse farming infrastructure in Hisor. By introducing advanced Korean greenhouse technology, the initiative aims to support 3,000 farming households, enabling year-round cultivation and boosting agricultural productivity.

These projects highlight KOICA’s commitment to addressing climate challenges and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Tajikistan.

On May 16, 2025, Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin announced the renewal and expansion of Italy's financial commitment to the Youth4Climate initiative at the Turin International Book Fair 2025, this renewed funding will support 50 new youth-led climate actions globally through the 2025 Call for Solutions.

Co-led by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and the UNDP, Youth4Climate has already supported over 100 projects in developing economies such as India and Colombia. The initiative also features a digital platform with over 25,000 young climate leaders, offering learning and collaboration opportunities.

Youth4Climate is recognized internationally, including in the 2024 G7 Leaders’ Communiqué, as a model for youth engagement in climate policy. As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil, the initiative exemplifies intergenerational cooperation and Italy’s commitment to fostering innovative, youth-driven climate solutions.

On May 16, 2025, Japan announced an additional grant of JPY573 million (US$4 million) to Nepal for the improvement of the Dhulikhel Hospital Trauma and Emergency Center bringing Japan’s total grant for the project to JPY3.9 billion (US$25 million), the initiative aims to enhance Nepal’s healthcare infrastructure, improve medical service quality, and support economic growth and poverty reduction through strengthened medical care.

The grant addresses a shortage of medical equipment and beds in Nepal’s health facilities, exacerbated by rising trauma and emergency cases due to increased traffic and non-communicable diseases like stroke and heart disease. The project will construct a trauma and emergency center at Dhulikhel Hospital, a key medical hub near Kathmandu.

The agreement was signed in Kathmandu by Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Nepal’s Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, in the presence of Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina Akiko and Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

On May 14, 2025, Italy reaffirmed its partnership with the African Development Bank AfDB under the Mattei Plan, aimed at fostering economic and strategic collaborations in Africa.

A delegation led by Stefano Gatti, Director-General for Development Cooperation, and Lorenzo Ortona, head of the Mattei Plan Task Force, visited the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan to discuss initiatives supporting sustainable growth and reducing hunger across the continent.

Key highlights included the operationalization of the RPFF, a multi-donor fund with over US$170 million from Italy and the UAE, focused on climate-aligned infrastructure projects. Additionally, Italy and the AfDB plan to invest up to EUR400million (US$433 million) over five years through the GraF, targeting private sector development.

Senior Vice President of the AfDB, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, praised Italy’s commitment, highlighting the Mattei Plan as a model for future cooperation between Africa and developed nations. Italy’s contributions also include EUR299 million (US$324 million) pledged to the AfDB, reinforcing its role in addressing challenges faced by Africa’s most vulnerable countries.

On May 13, 2025, the ONE Campaign took legal steps to challenge the UK government’s decision to reduce ODA/GNI from 0.5% to 0.3%, asserting that the cuts may violate the original act which enshrined a 0.7% ODA/GNI commitment into law.

The UK government has claimed the reduction is a temporary response to exceptional fiscal pressures and the need to increase defense spending. However, critics contend that the legal conditions for reducing the target have not been met, and that the government has failed to provide adequate justification for the move.

ONE cautioned that the ODA cut undermines the UK’s credibility and leadership in global development and could have severe humanitarian consequences for vulnerable populations. The legal challenge reflects wider concerns in the development sector about the UK’s retreat from its international obligations.