Ethiopia, Norway and UK commit US$240 million to CEPI’s global plan to tackle epidemic and pandemic threats

• The three countries pledge new funding for CEPI 3.0, the organisation’s five-year plan to transform the world’s ability to prevent and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats.

OSLO, September 21, 2026: Ethiopia, Norway and the United Kingdom have pledged US$240 million in support of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ (CEPI’s) five-year plan to transform the world's ability to prevent and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats. Ethiopia has committed to continue the country’s financial support for CEPI, Norway has committed US$106 million (NOK 1 billion), and the UK has committed up to US$134 million (£100 million)*.

The pledges, announced during CEPI’s side event at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81), will support CEPI 3.0, the Coalition's 2027–2031 strategy to systematically reduce the likelihood, impact and cost of epidemics and pandemics. 

This significant investment in CEPI comes before world leaders convene at the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on Friday, September 25. The high-level meeting will discuss a concise and action-oriented political declaration to better protect the world from future health emergencies.

"We now have the science to develop a vaccine against a new viral threat in a fraction of the time it once took, but being able to do so requires steady investment and shared responsibility to keep that capability ready and waiting. By backing CEPI 3.0, Ethiopia, Norway and the UK are showing the kind of foresight and leadership that global health security depends on. Their investments will strengthen the world's disease defences, helping us respond rapidly and equitably to emerging viral threats,” said Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI

"Health security is a shared responsibility that no single nation can secure alone, and this is especially true for Africa. The ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a stark reminder that an outbreak anywhere on the continent, or anywhere in the world, is a threat everywhere”, said Ethiopia’s Minister of Health Dr Mekdes Daba. “As part of Africa's collective commitment to health security, Ethiopia's support for CEPI 3.0 will help accelerate the development of vaccines against both known threats and those we cannot yet name. At the same time, it reflects a broader African resolve to strengthen the continent's research, manufacturing, and regulatory capacity, ensuring that life-saving innovations are not just delivered to Africa, but increasingly developed by Africa, so they reach the people who need them, wherever they live."

“For Norway, supporting CEPI is about more than vaccines. It is about building a safer world through stronger preparedness, scientific collaboration, and equitable access to life-saving health technologies”, said Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust. “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated just how crucial international cooperation, research, and innovation are when the world faces new health crises. Through its support for CEPI, Norway is helping to ensure that the world is better prepared when the next serious health threat emerges.”

"Investing in vaccine research today helps protect the public tomorrow”, said UK Health and Social Care Minister, Baroness Merron. "By providing up to £100 million in backing for CEPI, we will help develop the next generation of vaccines against some of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases and ensure the UK is better prepared to respond rapidly when new health threats emerge, helping to save lives and reduce pressure on the NHS."

"Disease threats do not respect borders. Investing in prevention, preparedness and response is both a global responsibility and in the UK's national interest,” said UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister Chris Elmore. “Today, the UK is announcing up to £100 million for CEPI's next phase of work, accelerating development and equitable access to new vaccines against some of the world's most dangerous epidemic and pandemic threats, including Ebola. This funding will support the vital 100 Days Mission to make safe, affordable and effective diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines ready for approval within 100 days of identifying a new epidemic or pandemic threat. Through stronger international cooperation, scientific innovation and early action, we can support countries to be more resilient and better equipped to protect people and their livelihoods, and prevent outbreaks becoming global crises."

CEPI 3.0: a plan to secure the future 

Infectious disease outbreaks are increasing in frequency, scale and economic impact. Research indicates that the risk of another pandemic on the scale of COVID-19 within our lifetimes is significant. Estimates show that global economic losses from future pandemics could average more than US$700 billion per year. Left unchecked, outbreaks of viruses such as Lassa, Nipah, Rift Valley fever and as-yet-unknown pathogens – collectively known as Disease X – represent an escalating threat to human life, global health systems and economic stability.

At the same time, the world is better equipped than ever to respond – if it chooses to invest. Advances in vaccinology, genomics, artificial intelligence and biomanufacturing have unlocked the possibility of developing safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new pandemic threats in as little as 100 days of their identification. This goal, known as the 100 Days Mission and embraced by G7 and G20 leaders, sits at the heart of CEPI 3.0.

To deliver this step-change in preparedness, the CEPI 3.0 strategy centres on three interconnected priorities: developing vaccines to tackle the most dangerous pathogens and viral families; advancing rapid-response vaccine platform technologies capable of being swiftly adapted to unknown viruses; and strengthening global networks for research, manufacturing and regulatory readiness that can be activated swiftly whenever and wherever future threats emerge.

CEPI 3.0 and the Bundibugyo outbreak response

The need for sustained investment in preparedness is underscored by the current outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. CEPI mobilised human, technical and financial resources within days of the outbreak being declared an international emergency and is closely supporting the nationally-led research response, alongside the World Health Organization, Africa CDC and multiple other agencies. CEPI is backing the urgent development of five Bundibugyo virus vaccine candidates, with the goal of advancing safe and effective vaccines for use in this epidemic and to strengthen readiness for future outbreaks. 

The speed of this response is made possible by CEPI’s prior investments in rapid-response vaccine platforms, R&D networks and partnerships with world-leading researchers. CEPI 3.0’s core priorities – a viral family approach to vaccine development, readiness across multiple technology platforms, and networks and capabilities that can be rapidly activated – are critical to the Bundibugyo response today and to CEPI’s mission to prepare for the viral threats of tomorrow.  

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Notes to Editors

• *Pledging countries are listed alphabetically.
• CEPI is seeking additional investment of US$2.5 billion to unlock its plan to protect the world against epidemic and pandemic threats. Read the CEPI 3.0 Investment Case here.

About CEPI

CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central to CEPI's pandemic-beating plan is the '100 Days Mission' to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days. CEPI is seeking US$2.5 billion to execute CEPI 3.0, its 2027-2031 strategy which will systematically reduce the likelihood, impact and cost of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality. Learn more at CEPI.net.

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