Global Fund Welcomes UK’s Multilateral Development Review
01 December 2016
LONDON - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria welcomed a new review by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development that sets out an open, modern and innovative approach to development for effectively tackling global challenges of the 21st century.
Announced today by International Development Secretary Priti Patel, the Mulitlateral Development Review provides an extensive evaluation of its development efforts, including support for the Global Fund, as part of the UK's significant investment in future security and national interest.
The review outlines a demand for high performance that is focused on results, value for money, transparency and accountability. The review cites the Global Fund as achieving exceptional results, and specifies its intention to continue giving strong support, while pressing for even higher standards and for further improvement in areas such as strengthening health systems.
"The UK is providing great leadership in development, and we fully agree with their forward-looking approach," said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "This review demonstrates how effective global partnerships can be when they focus on results and impact."
The review uses an updated assessment framework, with higher standards than in its previous review in 2011. "This tougher standard reflects the UK's commitment to ensure maximum value for money," the review said. "By making our expectations as clear as possible, we will have a robust and transparent way to measure progress. We are clear that where agencies consistently fail to meet our high standards, their funding is at risk."
The review awarded the Global Fund the highest possible rating for matching UK development objectives, and for overall organizational strength. Throughout the review, the UK stresses its priorities of targeting resources for maximum impact, insisting on transparency and efficiency, and working together to maximize results.
The review also pledges a highly engaged role by the UK government in the years ahead. "Following the decision to leave the EU, the UK will be even more engaged internationally. The multilateral system is vital to the UK and global interests and we will continue to be a committed supporter of it," the review said.
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need.