The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for four years, extending a partnership aimed at supporting health system strengthening across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.
The MoU was signed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Under the renewed agreement, the two organisations said they will deepen cooperation in four priority areas: advancing primary health care and essential health system capacities for universal health coverage, including innovation and digital health solutions; addressing determinants of health across sectors; improving health service coverage and financial protection to reduce inequities and gender inequalities; and building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems.
The announcement comes as countries face what the organisations described as a convergence of health emergencies, climate impacts and persistent inequalities, with the renewed partnership positioned as a mechanism for more coordinated international support to national health systems.
“This strategic partnership between WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat has a dual purpose: to strengthen health systems for the long term while helping countries respond to urgent health threats,” said Dr Tedros. “By combining WHO’s technical expertise with the Commonwealth’s unique ability to convene leaders and drive collective action, we will be able to better support countries to protect health, advance universal health coverage, and build resilience for future generations.”
Botchwey said the renewed MoU was intended to translate shared goals into practical results. “Our Commonwealth Strategic Plan places partnerships at the heart of delivery, recognising that no institution can meet today’s complex health and development challenges alone. Together, we can help build a healthier, more prosperous Commonwealth for all,” she said.
The renewed arrangement builds on an initial MoU signed in 2022. The organisations said future work will include high-level advocacy and multi-stakeholder dialogues on the identified health priorities; promoting evidence-based policies and strategies using WHO technical guidance, norms and standards; and focusing support on vulnerable countries, including Small States, and vulnerable groups, with an emphasis on reducing inequalities.
