Berlin, 20. September. With contributions adding up to almost 13 billion US-Dollars donors in Canada’s Montreal secure the continuity of the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).
Thanks to the engaged leadership of the Canadian hosts under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the donors, who convened over the weekend in Montreal, achieved a joint effort to finance the fight against HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. First of all thanks to the United States, who will with USD 4.3 billion again be the major donor, the work of the GFATM can be continued at its high standard.
Also again a cornerstone for the work of the Global Fund are the Europeans who jointly cover more than half of the GFATM’s financial needs – despite of indisputable challenges on other policy fields. Many of those donors even increased their contributions and make up for currency devaluations, among them: the European Commission (+27%), Italy (+40%), Luxembourg (+8%), Norway (+17.6), Sweden (+13,6%).
An exceptional role is played by the United Kingdom with a contribution of GBP 1.1 billion, including a commitment for tackling malaria composed by GBP 2.00 which will be given for every GBP 1.00 donated by the private sector up to a maximum of GBP 200 million
Germany increased its contribution nominally to now EUR 800 million for the three year period. However, Minister Müller put a burden on the next legislation: EUR 100 million out of the German contribution are made up from debt relief – meaning that in the next replenishment Germany will have to mobilize these funds from elsewhere.
Vice-President of the Friends of the Global Fund Europe and former German Minister for development, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, commented on the outcome of the replenishment:
“Europe and the US jointly achieved a remarkable effort. This helps us to get a step further towards our goal, to defeat the most dangerous diseases of our time by 2030. A special commendation should go to Justin Trudeau and the Canadian government who were ready to assume responsibility for the outcome of this replenishment in difficult times. The German government decided to defer a part of the financing to the future. Germany will continuously be held to account to the international expectations to contribute to the SDGs relative to its considerable potential. After all: The Federal Government did pledge – along with all other nations – in September of last year to end HIV/Aids, Tb and Malaria by 2030.”