Governments, World Donors Pledge $14bn to End Malaria, HIV by 2030

President Emmanuel Macron of France, Bill Gates, the US government and global fund donors have pledged $14.02 billion to end malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030.

The feat organised Global Fund, is the largest any multilateral health organisation has ever raised and will help save 16 million lives and end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.

Global Fund Chief Executive, Peter Sands, had initially announced the optimistic target of $14 billion, which was going to be far above what most donors had budgeted but President Macron called on donors to increase their commitments by at least 15 percent, as he raised France’s donation by 20 percent to $1.42 billion – $60 million more than previously announced.

The US Congress approved a commitment to give a total of $4.7 billion over three years, while Britain — despite Brexit challenges — pledged £1.4 billion, a 16% increase from the initial budget.

Germany pledged €1 billion, a 17.6% increase; Canada pledged CAD930 million, a 16% increase, the European Union pledged €550 million, a 16% increase; Japan contributed US$840 million.

Further expanding its donor base, the Global Fund also welcomed 20 new and returning public donors.

Global Fund also said private donors pledged more than $1 billion for the first time ever, an extraordinary achievement led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s pledge of US$760 million.

African countries also joined the fray in the historic fundraiser, with front liners like Nigeria pledging $12 million, South Africa $10 million, Kenya $6 million, Zambia $5.5 million.

From the middle east and Asia, Qatar pledged $50 million, Saudi Arabia $30 million, and India $22 million.

During the fundraiser hosted by the French government in Lyon, Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said: “Today’s Global Fund replenishment result is an incredible achievement”.

“This is a big day in the history of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – and one that no one expected two decades ago when the diseases were at their peak.

“Thank you to all the donors who increased their contributions. We hope others are inspired to follow their lead and support the Global Fund to continue its life-saving work.”

Major recipients of the fund will be Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe — where the issues being addressed are prevalent.

Global Fund and its donors believe that a world free of malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis is possible, and they add that they are working with development partners across the world to achieve that by 2030.

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