Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU, Gates Foundation, and Gavi partners will co-host the Gavi 6.0 pledging summit in Brussels in 2025 to secure investments for global vaccination programs.
In a coordinated effort, the European Union and the Gates Foundation will co-host the Gavi 6.0 pledging Summit. The occasion is planned to take place in Brussels late in the first quarter of 2025. It will bring together global executives from government, partner institutions, vaccine manufacturers, civil society and the private sector, to secure critical investments in vaccination programmes.
How will the summit promote equitable vaccine access worldwide?
In her remarks, President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated:
“In today’s world, handling health challenges at the global level is more critical than ever. Vaccines have a lifesaving power. And Gavi’s role is critical to making equitable vaccine access a reality, and for authorising our partners to achieve health sovereignty. Together with Gavi, we have a plan to vaccinate 500 million children by 2030. That is why the European Union is proud to co-host Gavi’s High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels. Our consent will remain steadfast.”
AntĂłnio Costa, President of the European Council, stated:
“In a multipolar world, the EU has an essential part to play in addressing global health threats and unusual challenges to people and communities. Vaccine availability is important not only for humanity but also to restore global economic action and prosperity. The forthcoming Gavi’s High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels reaffirms the EU’s dedication to building sustainable collaborations with countries in need of health security. Multilateral cooperation is vital for pandemic preparedness and responsiveness.”
How has the EU contributed to Gavi since its inception?
The European Union brings a long-standing and impactful collaboration with Gavi, having dedicated more than €3.2 billion in total since 2003, including the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) and EIB financial instruments. The EU and its Member nations, in a Team Europe approach, remain collectively Gavi’s biggest contributor, totalling more than €6.5 billion for Gavi 5.0 (2021–2025). Â
Moreover, as a founding partner of Gavi, the Gates Foundation has been key in bringing global attention to the crucial importance of immunisation, and of high-powered sustainable development strategies to solve market access problems for countries. Since 2000, the Foundation has dedicated $6.1 billion to Gavi to enhance the delivery of high-quality, inexpensive vaccines for more equitable coverage.
