Policy Updates

On May 30, 2025, officials from the US government announced the termination of a US$258 million program for HIV vaccine research at Duke University and the Scripps Research Institute.

A senior agency official stated that NIH leadership reviewed the consortia for HIV/AIDS vaccine development and immunology and decided not to support its continuation, stating that it will focus on using existing approaches to battle HIV/AIDS.

While ongoing clinical trials based on the work may continue, ending the programs indicates that no new candidates will enter trials in the future.

Public health experts have criticized that the cuts will hinder progress against HIV. Since 2010, new HIV infections have decreased steadily, but in 2023, the WHO still reported 1.3 million new cases, of which 120,000 were found in children.

On May 27, 2025, Norway formalized an agreement with Estonia under the EEA and Norway Grants, allocating EUR72 million (US$77 million) to support Estonia’s social and economic development. Norway will contribute 97% of the funding, with Iceland and Liechtenstein providing the remainder.

The initiative focuses on several priority areas, including the green transition, crisis prevention, health, and business development. It also aims to enhance Estonia’s physical and digital infrastructure, particularly for preserving cultural heritage during crises. Norwegian agencies such as the Directorate for Civil Protection and Innovation Norway will partner with Estonia to implement projects in energy efficiency, sustainable fisheries, and genetic medicine.

This agreement underscores Norway’s commitment to reducing social and economic disparities in Europe while fostering stronger bilateral ties with Estonia.

On May 21, 2025, the Australian government welcomed the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, marking a significant advancement in global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, incorporating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on multi-sectoral disease surveillance and equitable vaccine access.

Australia, as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, played a key role in representing the Western Pacific region. While the agreement has been adopted, technical details remain to be finalized, and Australia will commence its treaty-making process after the agreement opens for signature, expected by mid-2026.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the importance of international health cooperation in addressing shared global challenges. Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the inevitability of future pandemics, stressing the collective responsibility to safeguard public health. Once in force, the agreement will enhance Australia’s ability to mitigate pandemic risks while retaining full sovereignty over public health decisions.

On May 20, 2025, at the Qatar Economic Forum, US government advisor Elon Musk responded to estimates from UNAIDS predicting that the discontinuation of PEPFAR could result in 4 million additional AIDS-related deaths by stating he would ‘fix’ the crisis stemming from the withdrawal of US funding for HIV/AIDS services.

Musk, who implemented significant cuts to USAID under DOGE, previously stated when pressed that that useful parts of USAID had been transferred to the State Department. UNAIDS published a positive reaction to Musk's assertion and emphasized the urgent need to resume funding for global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services.

Many HIV/AIDS prevention programs supported by PEPFAR have not resumed operations, despite a limited waiver for some testing and treatment efforts focused on pregnant or breastfeeding women to continue.

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 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, 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 April 6, 2025, Germany pledged EUR2 million (US$2 million) to the WHO following the US withdrawal of funding.

This contribution is in addition to Germany's US$317 milllion contribution for 2024-2025 which aims to strengthen global health systems, improve pandemic preparedness, and ensure continued access to essential healthcare services in vulnerable regions. Germany’s leadership in global health funding highlights its commitment to multilateral cooperation.

On April 5, 2025, Canada announced CAD20 million (US$14 million) in humanitarian assistance for Myanmar following the earthquake.

The funding will support emergency relief efforts, including food, water, and healthcare, delivered through trusted partners like the UN and the Red Cross. Canada’s assistance aims to address the urgent needs of displaced families and those affected by the collapse of critical infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas.