Netherlands
Partner in global health
WHO/N. Garnage
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This content was last updated on 28 March 2024.
A partnership for equal access to health services for all people
Rooted in the Netherlands' commitment to health, human rights and leadership in promoting universal access to health, including the full breadth of sexual and reproductive health services, WHO and the Netherlands have developed a longstanding strategic partnership addressing global health challenges and fostering better health and well-being around the world, and thus also in the Netherlands.
The shared priorities in WHO's Global Programme of Work and the Dutch Global Health Strategy 2023-2030 inform the partnership. The Dutch Strategy underscores that the public health situation in the Netherlands is intrinsically linked to global health developments and challenges. Its focuses on 3 key priorities:
- Strengthening the global health architecture and national health systems, incl.: improved access to primary healthcare and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), international coherence and multilateral cooperation;
- Improving international pandemic preparedness and minimizing cross-border health threats, incl.: global access to medicines and health products; strengthened international action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic diseases policy;
- Addressing the impact of climate change on public health, and vice versa, incl.: making healthcare more sustainable and climate-resilient; international action on climate, water, sanitation and food.
WHO/Gabriel Valdés-Browning
WHO and Netherlands strategic partnership
WHO and Netherlands strategic partnership
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Netherlands: 4th largest flexible WHO contributor
Based on preliminary 2022-2023 data
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Note: The amounts are based on preliminary 2022 - 2023 data and might differ from the figures in the WHO Budget Portal, as they represent funds available net of programme support costs.
The Netherlands stood in 2022 - 2023 amongst the top five flexible WHO contributors with nearly US$ 19 million in core voluntary contributions. Overall, the Netherlands contributed more than US$ 106 million to WHO in 2022 - 2023, of which US$ 93 million, nearly 90%, was voluntary funding.
The Netherlands also supports WHO's technical expertise through secondments of staff and helps boost young people's careers in public health via WHO's Junior Professional Officer Programme.
This demonstrates the Netherlands' commitment through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to WHO's sustainable financing through predictable and flexible funds enabling WHO to quickly and with agility respond to key global health priorities and needs, allowing WHO to keep pace with the ever-changing demands of global health and to improve the health and well-being of all especially those in the most vulnerable situations.
Sexual and Reproductive health and Rights
In the pursuit of promoting the highest attainable standards of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, including for people in vulnerable and marginalized conditions, the Netherlands has been a steadfast supporter of WHO's work and the WHO-hosted Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). The Netherlands' dedication is further underscored by its active involvement, having twice assumed the role of Chair for the HRP program.
Through this collaboration, the Netherlands contributed to impactful outcomes and promoting the well-being of women and girls worldwide. Amongst them, a study that demonstrated that carbetocin - a drug used to prevent postpartum haemorrhage - was as effective as the currently recommended oxytocin, which requires refrigeration, which could lead to saving the lives of thousands of women; and a landmark study which demonstrated that the systematic provision of postpartum family planning services almost doubles the use of contraception at 12 months.
Health emergencies and humanitarian aid
The Netherlands' dedication to alleviating the immediate and long-term health impacts of humanitarian crises makes the Netherlands a critical partner and supporter to WHO's essential work in this domain.
We thank Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands @DutchMFA who will support @WHO in these spheres w/ EUR 12.5 million. It complements other contribution from the Ministry of EUR 10 million dedicated to support the implementation of mental health &psychosocial actions in 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/iC0mzHopOM
— WHO Ukraine (@WHOUkraine) December 22, 2023
Ukraine Emergency
Amid the ongoing crisis, the Netherlands is committed to support the urgent health needs in Ukraine. With over US$ 10 million, the Netherlands supports mental health and psychosocial actions as well as Ukrainian efforts to move towards more accessible, demand-driven community-based psychosocial services rather than mainly institutionalized care. Furthermore, the Netherlands is providing an additional US$ 13 million in flexible funding to WHO's overall response in Ukraine.
COVID-19 Response
A flexible contribution exceeding US$ 41 million in 2020-2021 has played a crucial role in bolstering healthcare systems globally and enhancing WHO's capacity at all levels to respond to the pandemic. This support has been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, reflecting the Netherlands' commitment to global health security.
Mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings
The Netherlands and WHO work together to address mental health and psychosocial needs in humanitarian crises. Since 2019, when it hosted the second Global Mental Health Summit, the Netherlands has been a key supporter of WHO's work in this area. Through a partnership with UNICEF, UNHCR, and UNFPA, the Netherlands contributed in 2019 - 2022 to develop and test in Colombia, Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine, South Sudan a Minimum Service Package (MSP) to alleviate suffering and enhance mental health and psychosocial well-being amongst adults, children, and young people facing humanitarian crises. Launched in December 2022, over 2 000 humanitarian actors have received training, and more than 21 000 individuals from 150 countries have accessed the MSP through its dedicated website.
With the renewal of the Netherlands support until 2027, the MSP's second phase will enable capacity-building with a focus on for local actors in humanitarian settings, Low- and Middle-Income Countries, intensifying support at country level, and developing a multi-sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit for more effective needs assessments in humanitarian emergencies.
In addition, the Netherlands has continued to engage in other editions of the Global Mental Health Summits, including the Fifth GMHS where past hosts, in consultation with WHO, prepared a report on progress achieved on commitments and recommendations agreed at the earlier Summits.
The Netherlands cooperates with WHO, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the IASC MHPSS Reference Group on providing MHPSS expertise through the MHPSS Surge Mechanism.
WHO/Kiana Hayeri
Conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and natural disasters takes a huge toll to people's mental health and well-being.
Conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and natural disasters takes a huge toll to people's mental health and well-being.
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International pandemic preparedness
WHO/Chris Black
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WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (right) and Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) Co-Chairs Dr Precious Matsoso of South Africa (centre) and Mr Roland Driece of the Netherlands (left) at the third meeting of the INB at WHO headquarters in Geneva on 5 December 2022. Third meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, 5-7 December 2022.
Beyond emergency response, the Netherlands has been supporting WHO's core work on strengthening health emergency preparedness in alignment with the International Health Regulations (2005) while making contributions to the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board.
The Netherlands plays a central role in international pandemic preparedness as co-Chair of the intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) that aims at drafting and negotiating a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Organization to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The INB's work is based on the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, efficiency, Member State leadership and consensus.
Climate change and health
Acknowledging climate change as the paramount health challenge of the 21st century, WHO and the Netherlands strengthened their collaboration to foster the resilience and sustainability of health systems against climate change.
The Netherlands and WHO work together to elevate and accelerate the work of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), a cornerstone initiative within WHO.
ATACH's mission is to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems, leveraging the collective power of WHO Member States and other stakeholders to advance this agenda swiftly and at scale. The integration of climate change and health into national, regional, and global plans is a central tenet of ATACH's work, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental and public health.
The Netherlands' support enables the ATACH Secretariat to cater to country-specific needs in advancing climate change and health goals, while concurrently mobilizing partners to catalyze an international policy shift. The collaborative efforts extend to monitoring and evaluating progress, supporting implementation, and cultivating a global community of practice dedicated to accelerating the delivery of impactful solutions.
The Netherlands and the Resolution on climate change and health
Climate is one of the three priorities of the Dutch Global Health Strategy. In this context, the Netherlands has initiated a new WHO Resolution on Climate Change and Health to renew the current one from 2008, recognizing the increasing urgency and the need for accelerated efforts.
Supported by the WHO Secretariat, the Netherlands has set up a cross-regional drafting group, consisting of NL, Peru, UK, Fiji, Kenya, and Barbados. NL, together with Peru as co-initiator of the process.
The goal of the initiative for a new WHA Resolution on Climate Change and Health is 1) to make climate an integral part of the work of WHO, and 2) to promote action worldwide in and by all Member States.
Key deliverables are:
- The development of a Global Plan of Action, building on the already existing WHO global strategy on health, environment and climate change; this global plan will be for the entire world, next to the already existing plan of action for SIDS
- Mainstreaming in WHO General Programme of Work: integrating climate and health as core and cross-cutting element in the WHO General Programme of Work (GPW)
- National commitments: strengthening national commitments for developing environmentally sustainable and climate resilient health systems
- Endorsement of ATACH: endorsement of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) as a formal WHO-led mechanism and global platform
WHO/Billy Miaron
Mahad walks away from a well in Lehele which residents say has been dry for three years.
Mahad walks away from a well in Lehele which residents say has been dry for three years.
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Water Sanitation and Hygiene
ADB/Xaykhame Manilasit
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The Netherlands and WHO partnership underscores the critical importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for human health and well-being.
As a global leader in water management, the Netherlands brings its experience to the efforts of ensuring clean water and sanitation for everyone and provides critical support to WHO's role in WASH, particularly through the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene. This initiative supports the development, updating, and dissemination of health-based guidance documents, best practice guides, norms, and standards to inform the establishment of regulations at the national level.
These collaborative efforts extended to the WHO-led UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-water (GLAAS) providing valuable insights into the progress and challenges faced globally.
This enduring partnership contributes to improving livelihoods, enhancing school attendance, preserving dignity, and by promoting WASH in health care facilities, improving quality of care, while reducing infections and mitigating the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. By fostering safe drinking-water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices, the Netherlands and WHO contribute to creating resilient communities living in healthy environments.
In the context of international efforts to accelerate progress to meet SDG 6, including through the UN 2023 Water Conference co-organized by the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed and extended its partnership with WHO until 2030.
Access to medicines
Professor Kupers, Netherlands' Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport and Dr Tedros, Director-General of the WHO sit together at the Second World Local Production Forum 2023
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The Netherlands has long been a champion of WHO's vision of essential medicines and plays a pivotal role in improving access to medicines and medical devices, supporting fair pricing dialogues and providing essential technical expertise.
The technical expertise provided by the Netherlands has been instrumental in WHO's ongoing work to enhance access to controlled medicines, listed under international drug control conventions. Additionally, the Netherlands has actively engaged in tackling the challenges posed by the growing use of new psychoactive substances.
In 2023, the Netherlands and WHO co-hosted the Second World Local Production Forum. This forum, held from November 6 to 8, 2023 in the Hague, resulted in comprehensive recommendations aimed at strengthening regional partnerships for sustainable local production and ensuring equitable access to medicines and health technologies.
In addition, the Netherlands has consistently contributed to this area of work by providing technical expertise through secondments and Junior Professional Officers. This support contributed to the development of the UN inter-agency tool on synthetic drugs–a collaborative effort between WHO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Embracing a comprehensive ‘One Health’ approach in the fight against AMR including strong sector-specific actions for human health, the Netherlands has demonstrated over the years strong leadership against AMR - one of the greatest health threats of our time.
In June 2014, the Netherlands hosted the first One Health ministerial conference on AMR to support the development of the 2015 WHO AMR Global Action Plan and the 2016 UN political resolution. In June 2019, a second ministerial AMR conference organized by the Netherlands in collaboration with WHO, FAO and WOAH led to the launch of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) on AMR supporting low- and middle-income countries to develop and implement National Action Plans. With the continuous support of the Netherlands, the MPTF has been recognized by the UN Secretary General as the mechanism to secure consistent and coordinated development financing for One Health National Action Plans and Tripartite Workplans.
The Netherlands also assists WHO and the Dutch WHO Collaborating Centres on AMR within the National Institutes for Public Health and environment (RIVM) in their work against this threat, while leading on AMR within the Codex Alimentarius. This contributes in advancing the implementation of WHO's Global Action Plan on AMR and strengthening the collaboration between WHO, FAO, UNEP and WOAH, known as the Quadripartite, and relative initiatives such as the Global Leaders Group on AMR or the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform.
Credit WHO / Asad Zaidi
Free medicines stock at drug store for the patients in district headquarters hospital (DHQ) Kasur in Pakistan
Free medicines stock at drug store for the patients in district headquarters hospital (DHQ) Kasur in Pakistan
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Tobacco regulation
Pexels/Kelvin Valerio
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease kills over 3 million people every year, smoking is the leading cause.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease kills over 3 million people every year, smoking is the leading cause.
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The Netherlands strongly supports global efforts to combat tobacco use and eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption. As a Party to both the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, it contributes to shaping international strategies for tobacco control and supports the work of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC by providing both financial contributions and secondment support.
By participating in the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, the Netherlands contributes to combating a major threat to public health—the illicit trade that undermines tobacco control measures.
Addressing Dementia as a Public Health Priority
Recognizing dementia as a national and international public health priority, the Netherlands has played a pivotal role in supporting WHO's Global Action Plan on the public health response to dementia (2017-2025). In 2021, the Netherlands was amongst the countries participating in the official launch of the Global Status Report on the public health response to dementia. In 2023, the Netherlands organized a conference on Dementia to emphasize the importance of worldwide action on the challenges dementia poses to the entire society. To promote and support actions to raise awareness and general knowledge on dementia, both on a national and international level. Amongst which the need for an extension of the WHO Global Action Plan with a further five years, until 2030.
The Netherlands has actively contributed to the development of the Global Dementia Observatory (GDO), a data and knowledge exchange platform. The Global Dementia Status Report, utilizing GDO country data, assesses actions taken by Member States, WHO, and civil society since the adoption of the global action plan. It identifies barriers to implementation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and underscores areas requiring urgent, accelerated action.
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WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
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WHO collaborating centres in the Netherlands
The Netherlands contributes scientific expertise to WHO through its WHO collaborating centres, which produce research on a wide range of topics including occupational health, tobacco regulation, water quality and infectious diseases. Several of these collaborating centres are hosted by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
For more than 40 years, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water at RIVM has provided WHO with scientific advice on risk assessments for food- and water-related pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in addition to assisting WHO’s normative work. The centre also supports WHO in strengthening country capacity in implementing national food- and water-borne surveillance systems through providing technical knowledge and skills.
The Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre for Quality and Equity in Primary Health Care Systems, which provides WHO with methodological support to assess performance, including quality, in primary health care and to document evidence to inform policies on integrated health services delivery.
RIVM also hosts the Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Preparedness and IHR Monitoring & Evaluation. The Collaborating Centre supports WHO in the implementation and monitoring of the IHR at country level. This entails that the Collaborating Centre supports the establishment and strengthening of core capacities and functions, required under the IHR by providing technical advice on all-hazard preparedness and IHR Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E).