At the Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in Canada, leaders from around the world, with the UK at the forefront, stepped up to pledge a total of almost $13bn for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
STOPAIDS applauds the outstanding global health leadership of the UK government who pledged £1.1billion.
On the 16 – 17th September, in a show of commitment to global health and development, world leaders stepped up to deliver nearly $13 billion at its Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Montreal, Canada from September 16-17.
Mike Podmore, Director of STOPAIDS and Alternate Board member of the Developed Country NGO Delegation to the Global Fund Board, speaking from the conference hall in Montreal said “Despite very challenging economic and political contexts, the world has seized this critical moment to demonstrate their commitment to the fight to end AIDS, TB and malaria.”
“STOPAIDS and the rest of UK civil society are united in giving a standing ovation to the incredible £1.1 billion commitment made by the UK Government, who yet again stepped up to demonstrate what leadership in global health looks like. Post-Brexit, this makes a bold statement that the UK will continue to be a global leader focused on supporting the poor and marginalized around the world.”
The UK government pledge of £1.1 Billion included two new components. The first was that £200 million of the £1.1bn is a match fund with the private sector in which the UK would commit £200 million to match £100 million pledged by the private sector for Malaria. The second component was a performance agreement that DFID has signed with the Global Fund to tie 10% of its pledge to the Global Fund delivering on its commitments. It supports an already highly performing organization to have even better impact.
Speaking about the contribution the $13bn makes to the global disease responses, Mike Podmore said:
“The new funding from the UK and other global leaders will not only allow the Global Fund to continue its important work, but also reaffirms the international community’s commitment to meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, while supporting the right to health for the world’s most vulnerable people.”
“This replenishment will help keep us on the right trajectory to reach the targets of ending AIDS, TB and Malaria by 2030 but it is only just enough to do so. $13bn is 80% of what the Global Fund needed to be fully funded and so this can only be the beginning of an ongoing fundraising effort for the global Fund and for the broader global responses to the three diseases. If we don’t continue to increase investment then the epidemics will rebound to hit us twice as hard.” said Mike Podmore.
Months of extraordinary efforts by the global community came to fruition at the Replenishment Conference, which brought together affected communities, civil society, donor and recipient governments, the private sector, and private foundations to rally support and commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals target to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as epidemics by 2030.
Many governments stepped up to increase their commitment from the previous replenishment, with 20-40% increases from the UK, Japan, Germany, Canada and others.
Since its inception in 2002, The Global Fund has saved 20 million lives through innovative partnerships and programming and has played a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of these three diseases. The nearly US$13 billion in pledges will create unique opportunities for millions of the world’s most vulnerable, especially women and girls and empower young people as leaders for social change. It will:
- Save up to 8 million lives, for a total of 30-32 million lives saved by 2020
- Build on the results achieved and prevent the resurgence of the diseases
- Avert 300 million new infections
- Support partners in domestic investment of US$41 billion toward the three diseases
- Deliver US$290 billion in economic gains
In the Media
STOPAIDS position on the replenishment was reported on here:
These are statements from UK organisations and donors:
Other UK media: