Global Fund welcomes doubling of Australia's pledge
07 June 2005
Geneva, – The Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria applauds the announcement by the Government of Australia that it will allocate a further AUS$ 50 million (approximately US$ 38.2 million) over three years in support of the Global Fund. This renewed and increased commitment of funding responds to the Global Fund’s challenging resource needs for 2005 and beyond.
The Global Fund calls on all donor governments to follow the examples set by Australia and Canada, to at least double their pledges for 2005 and beyond. Canada doubled its pledge to the Global Fund in February 2005.
“Australia’s increased contribution is particularly welcome in a year where we face extraordinary challenges,” Richard Feachem, the Global Fund’s Executive Director said. “To meet our current commitments, we will need US$2.3 billion in 2005, US$3.5 billion in 2006 and US$3.6 billion in 2007. We strongly encourage other countries to follow Australia’s example.”
Australia has played a leading role in regional efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. It has been a driving force behind the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development which has given leaders the opportunity to work together on measures to stop the spread of the disease. This new funding is part of the Australian Government’s AUS$ 75 million investment in the Global Fund and is further progress towards meeting the Government’s AUS$ 600 million commitment to assist the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS.
Over four rounds of grant applications, the Global Fund has committed over US$ 635 million to first and second phases of programs in the Asia Pacific Region. Over the full five-year terms of all these countries’ programs the Global Fund has committed US$ 1.6 billion. To date, the Global Fund has dispersed over US$ 240 million to countries in the region. About 20 per cent of Global Fund resources go to the Asia-Pacific region.