Singapore Pledges US$12 Million To CEPI To Strengthen Global Pandemic Preparedness

KUALA LUMPUR,MAY,2026 – Singapore will contribute US$12 million, or about S$15.4 million, over four years to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations as part of its continued push to strengthen global defences against future epidemic and pandemic threats.

The pledge was announced during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where Health Minister Ong Ye Kung delivered a speech at a side event on strengthening global pandemic preparedness. The Ministry of Health said the contribution will support CEPI’s work from 2027 to 2030.

Singapore has been a partner of CEPI since 2020, with the latest US$12 million pledge continuing its previous US$15 million contribution made in 2022. The latest funding maintains Singapore’s annual support at about US$3 million per year.

CEPI is a global partnership that works to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats. Its work focuses on preparing the world to respond more quickly when new infectious diseases emerge.

A key part of CEPI’s strategy is the 100 Days Mission, which aims to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new disease threats within 100 days of identification. The mission depends on global networks of laboratories, manufacturers, researchers and regulators working together before a crisis escalates.

The latest pledge also supports CEPI 3.0, the coalition’s five-year strategy for 2027 to 2031. CEPI said the strategy is designed to transform global readiness against future epidemic and pandemic threats by focusing on vaccine development, rapid-response vaccine platforms and stronger global manufacturing and regulatory networks.

The announcement comes at a time when global health authorities are again facing pressure from emerging disease threats. CEPI said current outbreaks, including hantavirus and Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, show that infectious diseases remain a persistent and evolving risk.

CEPI chief executive Dr Richard Hatchett described the new commitments from Singapore and the European Union as an important signal of global resolve. He said such investments would help strengthen disease defences and improve the world’s ability to respond rapidly and equitably to emerging viral threats.

Alongside Singapore’s pledge, the European Union also announced a €73.7 million commitment through its Horizon Europe framework programme. CEPI said the EU funding will support its work in 2026 and 2027, maintaining the EU’s current annual level of funding.

For Singapore, the latest contribution reflects the country’s broader approach to health security. As a small and highly connected global hub, Singapore remains exposed to cross-border health risks due to international travel, trade and regional movement.

The Covid-19 pandemic showed how quickly infectious diseases can affect economies, healthcare systems and daily life. Singapore’s support for CEPI is therefore not only a financial contribution, but also part of a wider strategy to build regional and global preparedness before the next major outbreak happens.

CEPI said its partnership with Singapore goes beyond funding. The collaboration includes preparing for regional threats, developing globally distributed RNA manufacturing capabilities and strengthening regulatory systems to help make the 100 Days Mission an operational reality across Asia and beyond.

This is important because vaccine speed alone is not enough during a pandemic. Countries also need manufacturing capacity, supply chains, regulatory readiness and distribution systems that can deliver vaccines quickly and fairly to affected populations.

The latest pledge also strengthens Singapore’s position as a contributor to global public health cooperation. By supporting CEPI, Singapore is helping fund research and preparedness work that could benefit not only the region but also lower-income countries that may struggle to access vaccines during future outbreaks.

At the sidelines of the World Health Assembly, Ong also signed two memorandums of understanding. One was with the Philippines to enhance cooperation in areas such as primary care, health promotion and healthcare workforce development, while another was with Finland to strengthen cooperation in health promotion, senior care and health technology.

Overall, Singapore’s US$12 million pledge signals a continued commitment to pandemic preparedness, vaccine innovation and international health cooperation. The funding will support CEPI’s mission to reduce the impact of future outbreaks and ensure the world can respond faster when the next infectious disease threat emerges.