Belgium Announces Commitment to the Global Fund
15 June 2016
BRUSSELS – The Government of Belgium announced today a pledge of €19 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2016, a positive signal as the Global Fund prepares for a Replenishment conference later this year.
"Belgium has been an active partner of the Global Fund since its inception and it is very encouraging that they are maintaining their financial commitment with the Global Fund partnership," said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “We look forward to continue our work in partnership so that together we can end the three diseases.”
The Global Fund partnership was created to save and improve the lives of millions of people affected by HIV, TB and malaria, aligned with Belgium’s government priorities in development cooperation to maximize impact against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, build resilient and sustainable systems for health, and promote and protect human rights and gender equality.
Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda, Post and Telecommunications of Belgium said: “Public health challenges, such as infant mortality, maternal mortality, and the fight against HIV and AIDS and malaria demonstrate the importance of effective and sustainable health systems and access to medicines and vaccines. It is therefore important to be in line with the development strategies put in place by our country partners, to ensure together that resources are allocated in the most effective manner and to share a political commitment to deliver sustainable results.”
Currently in Belgium, Dr. Dybul will attend the 10th edition of the European Development Days in Brussels, where he will participate in a panel discussion on sustainable health care for all, organized by Politico and Royal Philips.
Belgium’s commitment announced today will bring the country’s total contribution to the Global Fund to €212 million.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announced on 9 May that Canada will host this year’s Replenishment Conference in Montreal on 16 September 2016. The Global Fund partnership set a goal for raising US$13 billion to be invested during the three-year period that begins in 2017.
Belgium will commit additional funding for the next replenishment cycle, for a four year period starting in 2017. To that effect, Belgium and the Global Fund today signed an agreement supporting policy areas of mutual interest.