News Releases

Global Fund Board Approves New Financing Mechanism to Accelerate Progress Against Malaria and Marks Leadership Transition

03 November 2026

GENEVA – The Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) held its 56th meeting from 28-30 October 2026.

Malaria Response

As the global malaria response faces mounting challenges, the Global Fund Board approved the establishment of the Malaria Impact Accelerator, a new financing mechanism designed to mobilize and deploy substantial additional restricted financial contributions from private philanthropy through the Global Fund. The initiative will support country-led efforts to expand access to lifesaving malaria prevention and treatment in countries with the highest malaria burden and lowest economic capacity. (Decision Point).

“The Malaria Impact Accelerator has the potential to change the trajectory of one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Defeating malaria would save millions of lives in some of the poorest communities, while tackling a major cause of child and maternal mortality. It would also unlock significant social and economic development potential.”

The Board welcomed the unprecedented opportunity to transform the fight against malaria while emphasizing the need to preserve country ownership, community engagement, sustainability and equity, as well as transparency, accountability and robust oversight.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to mobilize significant new resources for the fight against malaria at a time of growing need. The Board welcomed both the ambition of the Malaria Impact Accelerator and the commitment that its implementation will remain firmly grounded in the Global Fund’s core principles,” said Board Chair Erna Solberg.

Progress Across Key Priorities in 2026

In his update to the Board, Sands noted the intense focus on delivering maximum impact in the final year of the current funding cycle (2024-2026), with in-country absorption rate on track to be the highest ever, and underscored nearly US$6 billion in total investments to strengthen health and community systems over the current cycle. Sands emphasized growing traction for integrating HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria services into primary healthcare and a more holistic, people-centered model of care. Looking ahead, he noted that preparations for the next funding cycle (2027-2029) are well advanced, with 87% of country allocations expected to have been reviewed by the Technical Review Panel by year-end.

Sands also highlighted the rapid rollout of game-changing innovations such as lenacapavir, AI-powered digital X-rays, rapid TB molecular diagnostics and next-generation malaria tools.

Looking to 2027, he pointed to a promising pipeline of new tools – including the first new TB vaccine. He underscored the importance of close collaboration with countries and partners (such as the Stop TB Partnership, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization) to prepare for the introduction of the vaccine.

As countries move toward greater self-reliance, Sands emphasized the partnership's efforts to expand access to affordable, quality-assured health products through pooled procurement. He noted the rapid uptake of Non-Global Fund Financed Procurement (NGFP), with 23 countries placing 55 orders to date. On this note, Sands pointed to a new agreement with the World Bank that will enable countries to use World Bank financing to procure health products through the Global Fund's platform. As part of the Global Fund’s efforts to diversify supply, Sands reported that the number of African suppliers to its platform has significantly increased since the previous funding cycle.

OPEX Budget and KPI Revisions

The Board approved the 2027 operating expenses (OPEX) budget of US$325 million, as well as an allocation of US$31 million to the operating expenses of Country Coordinating Mechanisms for 2027-2029. (Decision Point).

“The budget approved today will provide the Secretariat with the capacity needed to launch the next grant cycle effectively and advance the partnership’s ambition to translate its strategic shifts into programs that deliver greater impact for the people and communities most affected by HIV, TB and malaria,” said Board Vice-Chair Javier Hourcade Bellocq.

In addition, the Board approved adjustments to the Global Fund’s Key Performance Indicator Framework to ensure continued relevance and feasibility for monitoring progress against its Strategy. The revised framework discontinued some indicators and introduced others, including TB testing, service integration, community health worker support, and financial governance. (Decision Point).

Leadership Transition

On the opening day of the meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Mark Dybul as the next Executive Director of the Global Fund. (Decision Point). Dybul will begin his term in early 2027. Peter Sands will continue to lead the organization until then.

Closing the meeting, Board members expressed their deep appreciation to Sands for his leadership, drive for impact and tireless commitment throughout his tenure since taking office as Executive Director in 2018. (Decision Point).

The Board recognized Sands’ instrumental role in leading the Global Fund through a period of global disruption and transformation, mobilizing record levels of financing through three Replenishments and strengthening the partnership’s standing as a trusted, transparent and effective global health financing institution. Board members paid particular tribute to his decisive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting countries to protect essential HIV, TB and malaria services while strengthening health and community systems.

“It has been a privilege to serve this unique partnership,” said Sands. “Above all, I want to thank the many thousands of frontline workers, doctors, nurses, community health workers, midwives and others who turn our investments into lifesaving care for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.”

The meeting also marked a transition in Board leadership, with Erna Solberg welcomed as Chair and Javier Hourcade Bellocq as Vice-Chair.

Board members expressed deep appreciation to outgoing Board Chair Roslyn Morauta and Vice-Chair Bience Gawanas for their leadership during an uncertain, challenging period in which the Board took consequential decisions to protect the Global Fund’s effectiveness, sustainability and the confidence of its stakeholders. (Decision Point).