The French Academy of Sciences has published a new report, 'International Health Aid Under Threat: Scope and Challenges', examining the growing pressures on global health systems as international cooperation faces increasing geopolitical and financial challenges.

The report warns that reductions in international health funding, the weakening of multilateral institutions and a shift toward more bilateral approaches to development assistance are placing global health security at risk. It highlights recent policy changes in several major donor countries and notes that declining support for international health programmes is affecting disease control, vaccination, maternal and child health services and biomedical research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

While recognizing the valuable contribution of philanthropic organisations, the report argues that private funding cannot replace coordinated public investment supported by transparent governance and strong multilateral institutions. It calls for renewed international cooperation, emphasizing that health should be regarded as a global public good and that investment in global health is essential for collective security, economic resilience and sustainable development.

The report also underlines the important role of the European Union in helping to strengthen international health cooperation and supports continued efforts to develop global agreements, including the recently negotiated pandemic agreement under the framework of the World Health Organization.

A central message of the report is the need for independent scientific expertise to inform policy decisions and for stronger participation of researchers from the Global South in global health governance. According to the authors, effective prevention, surveillance and responses to future health threats depend on robust international scientific collaboration that benefits countries worldwide.

The report is intended for policymakers, researchers and organisations working in global health, international development and science policy.

Download the report below.