The International AIDS Society Calls for Global Leadership Ahead of the 5th Global Fund Replenishment
International AIDS Society - On 16 September 2016, the 5th Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will commence in Montreal, Canada. There, donors from around the world will pledge their commitment to invest in the Global Fund and support its goal of raising US$ 13 billion to be spent over the next three years; an investment that would save an estimated 8 million lives by 2020. The International AIDS Society (IAS) fully supports the Global Fund in its goal and urges all donors to reassert their commitment to fighting AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.
There is no question that the Global Fund has radically transformed the response to these three diseases. Since 2002, its investments have helped save 20 million lives and reduce AIDS, TB and malaria related deaths by 40%, 29% and 48%, respectively, in the countries where the Global Fund invests. Despite these results, critical gaps remain. Funding shortfalls would significantly curtail the Global Fund’s ability to tackle high priority objectives, including redressing the disproportionate rate of women and young girls living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, the rise of multidrug-resistant TB in Eastern Europe, and sustaining successful malaria prevention and treatment programmes in East Africa.
(...) The IAS applauds the Government of Canada for hosting this week’s Replenishment Conference and pledging CA$ 785 million to the Global Fund — a 20% increase over its previous pledge for 2014 – 2016.