Moldova signs agreement to grant privileges and immunities to the Global Fund
28 September 2010
Geneva, 28 September 2010 – The Government of the Republic of Moldova has signed an agreement granting privileges and immunities to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The agreement will enable the Global Fund to work more effectively in the country.
To date, the Global Fund has approved over US$ 61 million to support the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis in Moldova. It is the first country to sign an Agreement on Privileges and Immunities with the Global Fund.
Professor Michel Kazatchkine, Global Fund Executive Director, welcomed the agreement, which protects Global Fund Board members, staff, assets and data, as well as facilitates travel. “The government of Moldova has sent a strong signal of support for the efforts of the Global Fund, its donors and national implementing partners,” said Professor Kazatchkine.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova by Her Excellency Mrs. Tatiana Lapicus, Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to both the United Nations Office in Geneva and the World Trade Organization.
“My country highly appreciates its cooperation with the Global Fund as with the new generation of international organizations and by signing this agreement aims to commend the tremendous work of the Global Fund to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases,” stated Ambassador Lapicus. “At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Moldova expresses its gratitude for the Global Fund‘s continuous support of national efforts to fight AIDS and tuberculosis.”
The agreement, however, will only come into effect when a total of 10 countries adhere to it.
“We hope other nations follow Moldova’s example,” said Professor Kazatchkine. “This will facilitate the Global Fund’s work and enable us to function in similar ways to other international organizations.”
For the first six years of its existence, the Global Fund operated under an administrative services agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO). This meant that Global Fund staff was employed on WHO contracts with all the immunities and privileges of United Nations (UN) employees. The Global Fund became administratively autonomous on 1 January 2009. As a result, staff obtained new contracts governed by Global Fund rules and regulations, and their UN privileges and immunities were terminated.
Two other countries have already granted privileges and immunities to the Global Fund, but under different legal arrangements. The Global Fund signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Swiss Federal Council on 13 December 2004 under the terms of which it enjoys privileges and immunities in Switzerland. In addition, the Government of the United States has conferred privileges and immunities on the Global Fund by Executive Order of the President of the United States.
The Global Fund does not have offices outside Geneva.