04 December 2013
WASHINGTON, D. C. – At the Global Fund’s Fourth Replenishment Conference, avideo message from Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany voiced strong support for efforts to raise funds needed to defeat AIDS, TB and malaria.
The message, broadcast at a session in the White House where President Obama spoke, cited the remarkable progress made in the fight against infectious diseases, and pledged firm support from Germany in the years to come.
“Countless lives have been saved,” said Chancellor Merkel in the message. She added: “You can rely on Germany. We have been a strong partner to the Global Fund from the beginning. Our commitment to the Fund will not waver.”
At the pledging session on 3 December, the German delegation announced a contribution to the Global Fund of €600 million (US$ 800 million) for the 2014-2016 period. This pledge affirmed the announcement made by Minister Dirk Niebel at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2013, when Germany took an early lead in announcements for the replenishment.
Immediately after the pledging session on 3 December, Germany signed a Multi-Year Contribution Agreement with the World Bank as the Fund’s trustee to formalize the disbursement of its financial commitment for the next three years. Germany said it would actively support improvements at the Global Fund and would also continue to be vigilant its oversight, highlighting the Fund’s refocused efforts on financial and risk management.
“With the approval of parliament, we are able to give the Global Fund the predictability and security to successfully implement its new funding model,” Minister Niebel commented.
“Germany has demonstrated its reliability as a strong partner for the Global Fund,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “By supporting the Global Fund, Germany is helping to save the lives of mothers, newborns, and young children who are particularly vulnerable to these three deadly diseases. With German support, the Fund is able to reach marginalized populations who often suffer from stigma and discrimination. We thank the German people for their continuous commitment.”
Germany recognizes the invaluable work done by highly dedicated people who plan and implement programs in countries supported by the Global Fund. This work builds on commitments made at the 2007 G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, and on the Global Fund’s Second Replenishment Conference, hosted Germany in 2007 and held in Berlin.
In the nearly twelve years since the creation of the Global Fund, Germany has contributed more than €1.5 billion to the Global Fund, and is one of the leading donors.
The replenishment launch also saw the creation of an “Innovation Coalition”, a platform where private sector companies will help build solutions, such as a grant oversight management tool led by German software company SAP. The German company has played a significant role in this initiative as donor and facilitator, together with USAID-GMS.