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EU confirms its leadership in the fight against major diseases

At the Global Fund Replenishment Conference held in London on 6 September, and chaired by Kofi Annan the UN Secretary General, EU Member States and the European Commission pledged an additional US$2.3 billion for 2006 and 2007, which will see Europe provide 60 per cent of contributions to the Fund.

In a statement, the EU declared its political commitment to the Global Fund as a major mechanism in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

"I am very proud that the EU has provided 60 per cent of funding to the Global Fund," said Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid.

Speaking on behalf of the EU, Hilary Benn, applauded the commitment of EU Member States and the European Commission, "The EU is investing more in the Global Fund, because needs are growing and the Fund must keep pace with that. It is important that the Global Fund continues to work well, and gets the money to those who are in greatest need. That is why the European Commission and EU Member States are strong supporters of the impressive work being done to scale up action against AIDS, TB and malaria."

Since it was established in 2002 the Fund has committed US$3.5billion to 300 programmes in 127 countries. On top of that, this Replenishment conference has secured an additional $3.7billion for 2006/2007. The Fund has paid for 130,000 people with AIDS to receive anti-retroviral treatment and more than one million people have been had access to voluntary HIV testing. Thanks to the Global Fund 350,000 people have been given medical training to help people with AIDS, TB and Malaria. The additional US$3.7 billion for 2006/07 is expected to increase. It does not include pledges from some of the major donors such as the United States, which noted that their budget procedures prevent firm pledges for the full two-year period. A follow-up conference will be held in June 2006 to secure more pledges.

Speaking at the event, Kofi Annan stressed the importance of the additional funds, "They will help countries establish comprehensive programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria and they will provide us all with an important source of hope and encouragement for the future". The pledges made at this first Replenishment Conference have put the Global Fund on a firmer footing but there is still much to be achieved to meet the resource needs. "It has been a success and makes us hopeful we will reach our total needs by 2007", said Dr Richard Feachem, Executive Director of the Global Fund.

EU Member States and the European Commission (EC) were founding members of the GFATM in 2001 and the European Union is currently the Fund's largest donor. The EU has so far provided more than US$1.6 billion to the Fund.

Hosting the Replenishment Conference illustrates the UK's commitment to tackling these diseases of poverty, and in particular AIDS, which is a priority during its Presidency of the EU. On World AIDS Day, 1 December, the UK plans to host a major event focused on securing Universal Access to HIV Prevention.

The Global Fund

The Global Fund is a global public-private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.

The Global Fund has so far committed US$ 3.5 billion to over 300 programs in 127 countries. Around 60 percent of this funding has gone to Africa, and 55 percent to fighting HIV and AIDS. Around half of the funding is being spent on medicines, mosquito nets to prevent malaria and other products, while the other half is for strengthening health services. Since 2002 220,000 people have been supported with treatment for AIDS, 600,000 people have received TB treatment and more than three million families received insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria.

Further Information

The Global Fund

Contact: Rosie Vanek,
The Global Fund (Geneva, Switzerland)
Phone: + 41 22 791 5951,
rosie.vanek@theglobalfund.org

Yasser Mehmood,
Department for International Development (London, UK)
Phone: + 44 20 7023 0620,
Y-mehmood@dfid.gov.uk

8 September 2005