STOPAIDS warmly welcomes the announcement that the UK will join South Africa as a co-host of the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This is a very important continuation of a proud history of strong support from the UK Government for the Global Fund partnership which has achieved remarkable impact and progress. Since its inception in 2002, health programmes supported by the Global Fund partnership have saved 65 million lives by delivering critical prevention, diagnosis and treatment tools and services for HIV, TB and malaria.
In countries where the Global Fund invests, AIDS-related deaths have declined by 73% since 2002 and new infections have been reduced by 61%. In total the Global Fund currently provides 28% of all international financing for HIV programmes, investing a total of US$26.6 billion in programmes to prevent and treat HIV. These investments are not only key to the HIV response, but also contribute to strong, equitable and resilient health and community systems. These are critical for protecting the entire world, including the UK, from future pandemics.
In the context of global crisis and conflict, we find ourselves at an inflection point in global health and in the global HIV response where renewed partnership and collaboration between countries to fight the three diseases and ensure health for all is crucial.
A successful 8th replenishment is critical to the global HIV response and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS by 2030. By raising US$18 billion to fund the Global Fund’s next three-year grant cycle, we could save 23 million additional lives and prevent 400 million new cases across the three diseases. It took the world 18 years to cut the combined death toll from AIDS related illnesses, TB and malaria by almost half; with the right resources we can more than halve that figure again in only six years.
As a founding member and long-time partner of the Global Fund, the decision to co-host this replenishment with South Africa is a key demonstration of the UK’s commitment to a modern approach to development based on genuine partnership. Ending AIDS, TB and malaria is one of the most powerful ways to save lives and overcome poverty and we urge the UK to make a robust financial contribution to the Global Fund partnership.
STOPAIDS will work closely with the UK government and other UK and international partners to help make this replenishment the success it needs to be. We hope you will join with us.