Global Fund to reach US $13 billion target for 2017-2019: UK pledges up to $1.3 billion
1 October 2016. Related: Treatment access.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
The Global Fund issued a press release at the end of the 5th replenishment conference held in Montreal on 16-17 September, reporting that US $12.9 billion was already pledged toward the target of $13 billion for 2017-2019. [1]
In a review of this announcement, Aidspan detailed some of the larger funders, noting also that the strong US dollar was working against the final pledges, when converted from some other national currencies. [2]
The US remains the largest donor pledging up to $4.3 billion, committing to match one dollar for every two dollars in pledges made by other donors through to September 2017. Canada, pledged CAD $804 million, a 24% increase over its 2013 pledge. Italy increased its pledge by 40% to €140 million and the European Commission increased its pledge by 28% to €475 million. Japan continued to pledge US $800 million which was a significant increase given the relative drop in the value of the yen. Germany increased its pledge by 33% to €800 million and France’s pledge of €1.08 billion to match previous commitment.
The UK announced a pledge of £1.1 billion, with an additional matching fund of up to £200 million (targeted only for malaria). For 2014-2016, the UK contributed £800 million. This is conditional of the Global Fund meeting terms of a “performance agreement” although it is unclear why the UK should try to impose special term. [3]
Although China has the third largest economy in the world, it had only given US $15 million in 2013, and this year only offered to invest later. Denmark (pledge: 300 Danish krone) and Saudi Arabia (pledge: US $15 million) were down about 40% from their 2013 commitments. Spain has not contributed since 2010, but announced they would still be making a pledge at a later date.
Several African countries made important commitments including US $5 million from Kenya and US $5 million from South Africa. Nigeria pledged US $10 million for 2017, to be renewed each year, for a potential total of US $30 million for 2017-2019. Benin, a new donor, pledged US $2 million Namibia pledged US $1.5 million and Zimbabwe, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal each pledged US $1 million. [4]
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made the largest private foundation pledge: matching its US $ 0.5 billion pledge for 2014-2016, and added another US $100 million later.
Comic Relief and Catholic Relief Services made pledges of US $12.8 million and US$5 million, respectively.
References:
- Global Fund press statement. Global Fund Donors Pledge Nearly $13 Billion to Help End Epidemics. (13 September 2016).
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2016-09-17_Global_Fund_Donors_Pledge_Nearly_$13_Billion_to_Help_End_Epidemics - Global Fund Observer (GFO). The Global Fund reports pledges of US$12.9 billion at the end of the replenishment conference. (20 September 2016).
http://www.aidspan.org/node/3906 - UK Government policy paper. Performance Agreement: UK and the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. (17 September 2016)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/performance-agreement-uk-and-the-global-fund-to-fight-aids-tuberculosis-and-malaria - Global Fund press release. African Countries Step Up Contributions to the Global Fund. (19 September 2016).
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2016-09-16_African_Countries_Step_Up_Contributions_to_the_Global_Fund