August 31, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Administration Commits to Providing up to $4.3 Billion Over Next Three Years
Washington, D.C., August 31, 2016 — The Obama Administration announced today that the United States government will commit up to $4.3 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) through 2019. Specifically, the United States will contribute $1 for every $2 provided by other donors worldwide through Sept. 30, 2017, up to $4.3 billion.
In a statement today, National Security Advisor Susan Rice reaffirmed U.S. leadership in global health with this robust commitment to fight the three diseases. Her announcement comes as government and private sector leaders from around the world prepare to announce three-year financial commitments to the Global Fund. This upcoming conference, the Fifth Voluntary Replenishment of the Global Fund, will kick off a multi-year effort to raise funds for the world’s largest public health financier and lifesaving partnerships in more than 140 countries.
“As the Global Fund works toward ending the world’s biggest epidemics, the U.S. continues to lead by providing crucial funding support,” said Chris Collins, incoming President of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which advocates in the U.S. on behalf of the Global Fund and global health resources. “U.S. investment in the Global Fund is essential for the success of U.S. global health programming overall. We commend President Obama’s commitment to keeping the fight against these epidemics a policy priority. We are also grateful to the Canadian government for hosting the Replenishment Conference, and for increasing their commitment to the Global Fund.”
Today’s announcement of the U.S. pledge is the latest in a number of robust commitments from leading donor countries. In addition to hosting the Replenishment Conference, the Canadian government pledged CAN $785 million to the Global Fund, a 20 percent increase over its pledge from three years ago. The government of Japan has pledged $800 million, which represents a 46 percent increase over Japan’s previous pledge as measured in Japanese yen, due to fluctuations in the yen-dollar exchange rate.
The European Commission made the first pledge for the Global Fund’s Replenishment this spring when it announced its commitment of €470 million — a 27 percent increase over their last pledge. In June, the government of Italy announced a pledge of €130 million for the 2017-2019 period, representing a 30 percent increase over its previous commitment. In addition, the government of France pledged €1.08 billion — a steady commitment consistent with France’s previous pledge.
The pledges announced ahead of the Global Fund’s Replenishment Conference will help to achieve the organization’s goal of raising $13 billion for the 2017-2019 funding cycle. This contribution is projected to save up to 8 million more lives, avert up to 300 million new infections, and support partners in domestic investment of $41 billion in the fight against the three diseases.
These opportunities will build upon the significant progress the Global Fund has made over the past decade. By the end of 2015, the Global Fund partnership provided access to lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment for 9.2 million people. In addition to the significant improvements in global health, for every $100 million contributed to the Global Fund, $2.2 billion will be spurred in long-term economic gains.
“I hope that the momentum represented by U.S., Canadian and many other pledges will bolster new commitments from other government and private sector leaders,” said Mr. Collins. “With increased, strategic investments, the global community can end the AIDS, TB and malaria epidemics for good.”
FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA
Friends of the Global Fight works to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We educate, engage and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund, the world’s largest public health financier. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
###