Obama increases US contribution to Global Fund to $5 billion over three years

1 December 2013. Related: Treatment access.

Global Fund press statements

In a speech to mark World AIDS Day, US President Barack Obama announced that the US would pledge $5 billion to the next three-year funding cycle for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

This is an increase of $1 billion from the previous round of funding in 2010, although the offer is conditional on other donors committing $10 billion. [1]

The speech was made at the White House and included an announcement that the US National Institute of Health (NIH) would be “redirecting” an additional $100 million for funding research for a cure, although this was later clarify to be coming from within the existing HIV research budget. [2, 3]

The meeting also included an announcement that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would increase support to the Global Fund to $500 million for the 2014-2016 funding cycle.

Several other governments recently increased support to the Global Fund, including the UK (to $1.6 billion) and Canada (to $555 million).

Over the last year, the number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment has increased to 6.1 million people, up from 4.2 million people at the end of 2012, although this increase is partially explained by inclusion of new data from India, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. The number of new smear-positive TB cases detected and treated increased to 11.2 million, from 9.7 million by the end of 2012. [4]

In April 2013, the Global Fund announced the target of $15 billion for the next cycle of funding. [5]

References:

Unless stated otherwise, references are to press statements from the Global Fund (http://www.theglobalfund.org).

1. Global Fund statement. Global Fund launches replenishment with support from President Obama. (2 December 2013).
   http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/newsreleases/2013-12-02_Global_Fund_Launches_Replenishment_with_Support_from_President_Obama/
2. Global Fund statement. UK commits £1 billion to the Global Fund. (23 September 2013)
   http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/newsreleases/2013-09-23_UK_Commits_GBP_1_Billion_to_the_Global_Fund/
3. Cohen J. Where will Obama find $100 million for the new HIV cure Initiative? Science Insider. (03 December 2013).
   http://news.sciencemag.org/funding/2013/12/where-will-obama-find-100-million-new-hiv-cure-initiative
4. Global Fund statement. Canada increases contribution to Global Fund by CAD 650 million. (2 December 2013).
   http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/newsreleases/2013-12-02_Canada_increases_contribution_to_Global_Fund_by_CAD_650_million/
5. Global Fund statement. Global Fund targets $15 billion to effectively fight AIDS, TB and malaria. (08 April 2013).
   http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/newsreleases/2013-04-08_Global_Fund_Targets_USD_15_Billion_to_Effectively_Fight_AIDS_TB_and_Malaria/