GENEVA— The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria expressed deep appreciation for President Barack Obama’s request for US$1.35 billion for the Global Fund in his 2017 budget proposal, calling it a demonstration of great commitment to global health.
“We are privileged to call the United States our partner in efforts to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “The U.S. has shown extremely strong leadership and continues to rally support from countries and partners worldwide to reach our common goals.”
The United States is the largest supporter of the Global Fund, contributing nearly one-third of overall funding, and connecting it to other U.S.-led efforts on global health. Ground-breaking work by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) includes the launch of DREAMS, an ambitious partnership to reduce HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in 10 African countries. The Global Fund also works closely with the President’s Malaria Initiative and with USAID on tuberculosis, to leverage and expand joint efforts.
Dr. Dybul further thanked the U.S. for its commitment to supporting the next Replenishment cycle of the Global Fund. Every three years, the Global Fund seeks financial support for its mission, and will do so in 2016 with the launch of a new Replenishment cycle that begins in 2017. President Obama hosted the launch of the Global Fund’s previous Replenishment in Washington in December 2013.
In December 2015, the Global Fund issued an investment case for raising US$13 billion for the next three-year cycle, embracing the global goal of ending HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics by 2030.
A US$13 billion investment for the three years beginning in 2017 would save up to eight million lives, avert up to 300 million infections and new cases of HIV, TB and malaria, and lay the groundwork for potential economic gains of up to US$290 billion in the years ahead.
The U.S. has also played a leading role in decision-making and governance at the Global Fund, and has advocated vocally for addressing special challenges facing women and girls, and reaching key populations affected by HIV, TB and malaria through the combined efforts of governments, the most affected communities, civil society, technical partners and the private sector.
President Obama’s budget request for the Global Fund was announced today in Washington, D.C., leading by example in its strong commitment to ending the three diseases as epidemics.