GENEVA – The Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria concluded its 30th meeting today with a firm endorsement of efforts leading to the Fourth Voluntary Replenishment Conference to be hosted by the United States Government in Washington D.C. on 2-3 December 2013.
“We are building momentum and excitement for a highly successful Replenishment,” said Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, Chair of the Board, presiding over her first meeting in that role.
Several Board Members expressed strong confidence about the Global Fund’s strategy on replenishment, stressing shared responsibility and engaging all partners in a common mission to defeat AIDS, TB and malaria. Civil society, the private sector, implementing countries, emerging economies and traditional donors all contribute.
“A successful Global Fund replenishment will be critical in bringing to an end the three diseases, and communities remain at the centre of ensuring this reality,” said Lucy Chesire of the Communities delegation to the Board.
Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, told the Board that he is highly confident that the amount of pledges made at the conference in December will significantly exceed the US$9.2 billion that was pledged at the Third Replenishment in October 2010 for the three-year period now coming to an end. He said the only question is: By how much?
John Monahan, representing the United States, said: “The opportunity to make a difference in the three diseases is profound and real.” He pointed out that early announcements by several donors had created a growing sense of momentum and confidence, even in times of serious budget constraints.
#####
The Global Fund is an international financing institution dedicated to attracting and disbursing resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria. The Global Fund promotes partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities, the most effective way to help reach those in need. This innovative approach relies on country ownership and performance-based funding, meaning that people in countries implement their own programs based on their priorities and the Global Fund provides financing where verifiable results are achieved.
Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has supported more than 1,000 programs in 151 countries, providing AIDS treatment for 4.2 million people, anti-tuberculosis treatment for 9.7 million people and 310 million insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts in dealing with the three diseases.
