Should there be limits on private funding to global bodies like the WHO?

UN bodies like the World Health Organization have become more and more reliant on private funding, raising some concerns.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now the second biggest donor to the WHO, while several UN bodies have received significant corporate donations from the likes of Coca-Cola and L’Oréal. Some say this not only fills a funding gap but also brings more dynamism and innovation. Others worry that big private donors have too much influence over UN policies and are not accountable enough.

What do you think? Should private donors’ roles be limited in some way, or are they a welcome necessity? What do you see as the pros and cons of private funding, compared with funding only from member states? Let us know what you think by joining the conversation below.