"So, the Global South countries can develop and supply vaccines to their populations in a more timely and equitable way."

Local media reported that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directly attended the HWG, and he estimated that the financial need for strengthening global health security reached $31 billion per year.

"WHO and the World Bank have estimated that we need 31 billion dollars every year to strengthen global health security. Two-thirds of that amount could come from existing resources, but that leaves a gap of 10 billion per year," he said.

Ghebreyesus suggested that the FIF be supervised by a council and an advisory panel that would be supported by the joint Secretariat of the World Bank and WHO, which is based in Washington.