(RED) Marks 10 Years of Contributions to Fight AIDS
22 January 2016
DAVOS, Switzerland – The Global Fund congratulates (RED) on 10 years of spectacular private sector engagement in the fight against AIDS, as (RED) celebrates its anniversary today at the World Economic Forum in Davos and announces that it has generated contributions of more than US$350 million.
Founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to create a sustainable flow of private sector money for the Global Fund, (RED) has engaged partners, many extraordinary collaborators and a number of special events in efforts to accelerate an end to the AIDS epidemic.
Today, (RED) announced new partnerships with NetJets, Salesforce and Tradeshift, innovative multi-national companies that will generate millions of dollars for the Global Fund. These companies joined América Móvil, Apple, Bank of America, Belvedere, GAP, SAP, Starbucks and The Coca-Cola Company, each of which have renewed their partnerships with (RED).
“Engaging the private sector to learn about HIV and how we end the epidemic by working together – it’s hugely important,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “By building on what we’ve achieved, and accelerating our progress, we can do amazing things.”
To mark the anniversary and double (RED)’s impact, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will match every dollar generated by (RED) in 2016, up to US$50 million.
“Over the past decade, (RED) has enrolled millions of people and dozens of brands in the global fight against AIDS,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Today’s match will provide the Global Fund with up to $100 million to help save 60,000 lives, prevent 2.3 million new infections, and generate more than $2 billion in economic gains for developing countries. That’s an amazing return on investment.”
Every three years, the Global Fund seeks financial support for its mission through a Replenishment pledging conference, to be held in mid-2016. The Global Fund has identified a goal of reaching US$13 billion for the three year period beginning in 2017.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to all the companies, the creative collaborators and the activists who step-up to fight AIDS with (RED),” said Deborah Dugan, CEO, (RED). “They lead by example and show the world what is being achieved when the private and public sectors work in tandem to fight this preventable, treatable disease. With 15 million people now on ARVs – up from 700,000 in 2002 - the progress is tangible, but the fight is not over.”