Ethiopia, alongside Norway and the United Kingdom, has committed US$240 million to support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ (CEPI) ambitious five-year plan.

Announced during a high-profile side event at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), the funding initiative underpins CEPI 3.0—a comprehensive 2027–2031 strategy designed to fundamentally transform the world’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to catastrophic epidemic and pandemic threats.

Under this joint financial commitment, Ethiopia has reaffirmed its dedication to continuous financial support for CEPI. Norway has pledged US106 million (NOK 1 billion), and the United Kingdom has contributed up to US134 million (£100 million). This pivotal injection of capital arrives just ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, where global leaders are convening to shape actionable declarations that safeguard humanity against emerging health emergencies.

Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, commended the nations for their vital foresight. He noted that while modern science allows researchers to design vaccines against novel viral threats in a fraction of historical timelines, maintaining this readiness relies entirely on steady investment and shared international responsibility.

The urgency of this proactive approach is starkly highlighted by current health crises, such as the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Addressing this reality, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, emphasized that health security is a collective responsibility, declaring that an outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere. She highlighted that Ethiopia’s backing of CEPI 3.0 reflects a broader African resolve to bolster local research, manufacturing, and regulatory capacities so that life-saving innovations are increasingly developed within Africa.

As infectious disease outbreaks rise in frequency and economic impact—with potential global losses averaging over 700 billion annually—CEPI is seeking a total investment of US2.5 billion to fully execute CEPI 3.0.

Ethiopia, alongside Cambodia, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda, has officially joined an international coalition backing the global “Blend Better Cement” campaign. The announcement coincides with Climate Week NYC, bringing the total number of nations supporting the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) initiative to twelve.

The campaign unites governments, industry leaders, and climate organisations to accelerate national policies promoting lower-carbon blended cement. Concrete remains the world’s most widely used building material, accounting for roughly 7% to 8% of global carbon emissions. With the United Nations estimating that 75% of the infrastructure existing by 2050 has yet to be built, experts emphasize that material choices made today will dictate emission trajectories for decades to come.

Blended cements substitute traditional, carbon-intensive clinker with alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as calcined clay, limestone fines, and industrial by-products. This approach reduces emissions by up to 50% per tonne compared to ordinary Portland cement while preserving essential structural strength, durability, and cost-efficiency.

To drive market adoption, the newly joined governments have pledged to deploy policy instruments such as updating national building standards and prioritizing blended cement in public procurement. Because public entities represent major consumers of concrete, direct governmental procurement serves as an essential catalyst for creating immediate market demand and scaling supply.

The five new nations join an existing coalition that includes Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Luxembourg, and New Zealand. This momentum builds as policymakers look toward upcoming major climate forums, including COP31—co-hosted by Türkiye, where clinker usage in public projects is already capped at 80%—and COP32, which will be hosted by Ethiopia in 2027.

Highlighting the country’s dedication to the initiative, Dawit Alemu Beshah, Project Manager for the Climate Change Sector Reform Performance Project at the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry, noted the domestic and environmental advantages of the shift.

“Ethiopia has no doubts about scaling blended cement,” he said. “It uses clean energy, strengthens our industry, and makes the most of the raw materials we are blessed with. It’s not just an environmental story, but one about competitiveness and industrialisation.”

Spearheaded by a partnership including the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the ICBC, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Agenda, the LC3 Project, Climate Group, and Systemiq, the campaign emphasizes commercially viable technology capable of immediate impact.