Global Fund gains privileges and immunities similar to international organizations
13 December 2004
Headquarters Agreement signed with Swiss Government
Bern – Professor Richard Feachem, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, today signed a headquarters agreement granting the Global Fund privileges and immunities similar to those of international organizations. The agreement was recently approved by the Swiss Federal Council. Ambassador Paul Seger, head of the Directorate of International Law, signed on behalf of the Federal Council.
The Global Fund was created in 2002 as a Swiss Foundation to enable it to work quickly, flexibly and innovatively. However, given the nature and scale of its activities, which already include support for a portfolio of 300 programs in 130 countries worth initially over $3 billion, the Global Fund’s legal needs are similar to those of international organizations. The Swiss Federal Council has recognized this by approving the headquarters agreement signed today.
In addition to increased legal protections for the Global Fund Secretariat and its Board and its assets, the headquarters agreement enables the Global Fund to undertake a number of administrative changes which will make the organization more effective and efficient.
From its creation, Switzerland has been a strong supporter of the Global Fund and has contributed $13 million to the Fund so far. Switzerland holds a non-voting seat on the Global Fund Board.