Ethiopia, Norway and the United Kingdom have pledged a combined US$240 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI, for a five-year plan intended to improve preparedness for epidemics and pandemics.
The commitments were announced on 21 September 2026 at a side event during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, known as UNGA 81. Norway pledged US$106 million, or NOK 1 billion, while the United Kingdom committed up to US$134 million, or £100 million. Ethiopia also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing financial support for CEPI, though no separate sum was specified.
The money will support CEPI 3.0, the organisation’s strategy for 2027–2031. CEPI is seeking US$2.5 billion to carry out the full programme, meaning the three-country pledge represents only part of the required funding.
CEPI was established to accelerate vaccine development against emerging infectious disease threats. Its new strategy aims to reduce the chance, effects and cost of epidemics and pandemics through work on vaccines for dangerous pathogens and viral families, faster vaccine-response platforms, and stronger international research, manufacturing and regulatory networks.
The plan includes support for the 100 Days Mission. That initiative seeks to ensure safe, affordable and effective diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines are ready for approval within 100 days of the identification of a new epidemic or pandemic threat.
CEPI said infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent and are causing greater economic damage. It said future pandemics could result in average global economic losses of more than US$700 billion each year.
Dr Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s chief executive, said: “By backing CEPI 3.0, Ethiopia, Norway and the UK are showing the kind of foresight and leadership that global health security depends on”.
The announcement came before a UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response scheduled for Friday, 25 September. The meeting is due to take place as CEPI seeks further backing for its US$2.5 billion fundraising target.
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