ONE Applauds Global Commitments to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria

WASHINGTON (December 3, 2013) – World leaders today committed more than $12 billion to the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria during The Global Fund Fourth Voluntary Replenishment Conference in Washington, DC.

Reacting to the news, Michael Elliott, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign, said:

“This is the largest sum ever committed at one time to the global fight against these killer diseases, and represents $3 billion more than the amount pledged in the Global Fund’s 2010 replenishment. This is an important affirmation of the Global Fund’s critical role in global health, as well as its recent reforms to make it even more effective. With these new resources, the Global Fund’s grants will reach even more people affected by AIDS, TB and malaria in the years to come.

We are particularly grateful for the US commitment to contribute a third of all resources, up to $5 billion so long as it is matched over the 2014-2016 period, along with a $1.5 billion pledge from France and the UK’s pledge of $1.64 billion. The American, French and British governments have once again affirmed their historic commitment to the fight against these three deadly diseases, setting a bold example for other countries to follow.

We also welcome the increased contributions made by the European Commission and Canada and are delighted that a number of countries have stepped forward to contribute to the Global Fund for the first time.

We also applaud the commitment of the private sector, which has pledged more than $600 million to the Global Fund.  We are particularly pleased that, by the end of 2015, (RED), a division of ONE, will have generated more than a quarter of a billion dollars to the Global Fund from the private sector since 2006.

We are frustrated to have more than $1 billion left on the table. The challenge grants from the US and UK will go unmatched, at least for now, since other donors did not step up and make bold enough commitments. At a time when countries are increasing their contributions to the Global Fund, we are also disappointed that Japan and Australia have not stepped up with ambitious pledges.

Our fight does not end today.  Over the next three years, donors can and must provide additional resources to allow the Global Fund to bolster its important work and help turn the tide against AIDS, TB and malaria.”

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has supported more than 1,000 programs in more than 140 countries, providing AIDS treatment for 6.1 million people, anti-tuberculosis treatment for 11.2 million people and 360 million insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to fight the three diseases and strengthen the health systems in countries.