WHO is the most important UN specialised agency in the health sector. The focus of its work is on the establishment and extension of effective health services and in helping countries to fight disease. It also supports medical research and acts as a worldwide health warning service. WHO is a key partner for Germany in its efforts to strengthen health systems worldwide, e.g. through the ‘Healthy Systems – Healthy Lives’ Initiative. Read more - World Health Organization (WHO)

The Global Fund is a public-private partnership to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics, while building sustainable and resilient systems for health. Germany is the fourth largest donor of the Global Fund, with a contribution of EUR 210 million in 2015. Germany also provides technical assistance to in-country stakeholders of the Global Fund through the initiative BACKUP Health. Read more - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Gavi is a public-private partnership whose task it is to help save children's lives and protect people's health by providing easy access to immunisations (vaccines) and by improving health systems. Germany is a major donor of Gavi, with a commitment of EUR 600 million for 2016-2020 announced at the Gavi pledging conference hosted by Germany in 2015. Read more - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

UHC2030 is the global movement to build stronger health systems for universal health coverage, promoting collaborative working in countries and globally on health systems strengthening. Germany has been a strong supporter of these efforts, see Health Systems Strengthening for UHC. Read more - UHC 2030

UNAIDS is the leading body for global action to achieve a worldwide political consensus on the fight against the HIV epidemic. The programme is mandated to manage, strengthen and support worldwide efforts to stem the epidemic's spread. BMZ contributes to UNAIDS annual budget. Read more - Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

UNFPA helps raise worldwide awareness on issues of reproductive health and demographic development. It supports programmes on, e.g., family planning ante-natal and obstetric care, prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and gender-based violence. BMZ contributes to UNFPA’s core funding. Read more - United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child since 1946. Its priorities for 2014-2017 include health; HIV and AIDS; water, sanitation and hygiene; nutrition; education; child protection; and social inclusion. Read more - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

IPPF is a global umbrella organisation of 158 independent national member organisations, which work in more than 170 countries to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights. In 2014, IPPF provided 149.3 million sexual and reproductive health services. BMZ regularly supports IPPF's budget. Read more - International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)