A delegation from the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”) – a charitable organisationestablished by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust in September 2023 – participated in programmes surrounding the 77th World Health Assembly being heldfrom 26 May to 1 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Assembly is thehighest body for setting global health policy and the forum through which the WorldHealth Organization (“WHO”) is governed by its 194 member states.
The IoP delegation took part in the launch of Investment Round – a new mechanism tomobilise sustainable financing for the WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work,2025-2028. Under the theme “All for Health, Health for All”, the launch wasannounced by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World HealthOrganization. It convened high-level representatives from member states, internationalorganisations and philanthropic foundations.
At the launch, the IoP announced its donation of a first tranche of US$1.23 million(HK$9.6 million) to support WHO efforts to safeguard the health of migrant anddisplaced populations affected by climate change. This collaboration underscores theIoP’s commitment to address global health challenges in the context of climate change.
Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and Executive Director,Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, speaks at the launch of the World Health Organization’s Investment Round.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and CEO ofThe Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the donation was a milestone for the IoP as the firstproject it has supported led by a United Nations specialised agency. Through thisdonation, the IoP is aiming to help address the critical issue of health arising fromclimate change in keeping with its mission to support globally impactful projects.
The IoP’s donation to the WHO was announced by Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of theInstitute of Philanthropy and Executive Director, Charities and Community of TheHong Kong Jockey Club, at the Investment Round launch.
The IoP also partnered the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to co-sponsor a side eventon pandemic preparedness in support of the Global Health Emergency Corps (“GHEC”).The GHEC was launched by the WHO and its partners at the 76th World HealthAssembly in May 2023 to strengthen collaboration and emergency response levelsacross countries and health networks.
Dr Christopher Elias, President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation (centre), and Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropyand Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club(right), speak at a side event co-sponsored by the foundation and the IoP.
Dr Michael Ryan, Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization,delivered opening remarks at the side event, while Dr Leung and Dr Christopher Elias,President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, both deliveredaddresses. Attendees included members of national delegations, representatives ofmultilateral organisations and philanthropic foundations.
Throughout the duration of the Assembly, the IoP delegation held a series of bilateralmeetings with the Deputy Director-General, Assistant Directors-General and othersenior WHO leadership to exchange views on global health issues of common concern.
In recognition of the need for multilateral co-operation to safeguard global health andaddress the health impact of climate change, the IoP has undertaken the following steps:
• Signed a formal Statement of Collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation onthe occasion of the first-ever Health Day at COP28 to strengthen global healthresilience to climate change.
• Is collaborating with the National Health Commission to enhance humanresources for health and develop top medical and health-care talent in China.
• Is supporting the University of Cambridge’s Trinity Challenge on AntimicrobialResistance, which promotes collaboration and innovation in addressing thehealth needs of low- and middle-income jurisdictions that lack community-leveldata on antimicrobial resistance.
