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June 2025 – Department of the Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to global health equity at the Global Summit for Health and Prosperity through Immunisation, announcing a €21.6 million pledge to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Addressing the summit, the Taoiseach highlighted the transformative role vaccines play in improving global health outcomes. Citing World Health Organization data, he described vaccination as one of the most cost-effective and impactful health interventions available.
Despite progress, Martin noted that significant disparities in healthcare access persist, particularly in crisis and humanitarian settings where health systems are strained or under threat. He stressed the urgent need to protect essential health services and ensure immunisation reaches vulnerable populations, especially children at risk of preventable diseases.
“Ireland’s foreign policy and development cooperation are fundamentally guided by the principle of reaching the furthest behind first,” he said, underscoring a focus on unvaccinated children and underserved communities.
The Taoiseach described Gavi as a strategic and effective partner in advancing global health and affirmed that Ireland’s new pledge represents a 20% increase from its previous commitment. The funding will support Gavi’s mission to expand vaccine access and promote health and prosperity worldwide.
Martin reiterated Ireland’s broader commitment to providing predictable and flexible official development assistance (ODA), aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and focused on eradicating poverty and promoting international solidarity.
Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Ireland UN Geneva Photo by Violaine Martin
