– The Gates Foundation today announced a commitment of to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—one of the most effective mechanisms for delivering lifesaving vaccines to children and preventing disease in the world’s most vulnerable communities.

“For the first time in decades, the number of kids dying around the world will likely go up this year instead of down because of massive cuts to foreign aid. That is a tragedy,” warned Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation. “Fully funding Gavi is the single most powerful step we can take to stop it.”

The foundation’s renewed support comes amid a global crisis. International development programs have been severely impacted by declining budgets and shifting political priorities. After years of stagnation, foreign assistance plummeted this year, putting at risk the hard-won progress in child survival and public health made over the last 25 years.

“The legacy of our generation cannot be that we looked away as millions of poor children died of preventable causes,” said Gates. “The world now has affordable, effective, proven tools that save lives. Wealthy nations should fully fund Gavi and the Global Fund, the organizations created to get those products to the people who need them.”

The announcement precedes the Global Summit: Health & Prosperity through Immunisation, a pledging event for Gavi taking place on , co-hosted by the European Union and the Gates Foundation. At the summit, Gates will join global leaders, many of whom are expected to announce new commitments to Gavi’s mission.

Early donor pledges to Gavi reflect broad support for immunization as a high-impact investment, as well as confidence in multilateral collaboration to accelerate progress on global health.

Since its launch 25 years ago, with initial support from the Gates Foundation and a group of founding partners, It has vaccinated more than across , preventing nearly from diseases like .

Despite that progress, still lack access to essential vaccines, and outbreaks of preventable diseases—including measles and meningitis—are increasing, threatening to reverse decades of gains.

Gavi’s co-financing model emphasizes country ownership and long-term sustainability. As partner countries’ economies grow, they contribute more to their vaccine programs and eventually transition to self-financing. Since 2000, have successfully graduated from Gavi support.

“Gavi’s model is unique in how it supports countries to build strong, self-sustaining immunization systems,” said Budi Gunadi Sadikin, minister of health, Indonesia. “Indonesia’s journey from a Gavi-supported country to a donor is a testament to what’s possible through true partnership.”

Since 2000, the Gates Foundation has committed more than to advance vaccines—investing in their discovery, development, and distribution. Of this, has been directed to Gavi, making it the foundation’s largest grantee.

Today’s renewed commitment to Gavi comes on the heels of the foundation’s During this time, the foundation will work together with its partners to make as much progress as possible towards three primary goals:

Additional areas of focus for the foundation’s work continue to be helping U.S. students have pathways to opportunity; strengthening digital public infrastructure; applying new uses of artificial intelligence in health, education, and agriculture; and advancing gender equality to help women access education, health care, and financial services.

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.

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