The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria championed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has called on public and private donors to contribute $3 billion by the end of 2004 to fully finance anticipated country proposals.
The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria championed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has called on public and private donors to contribute $3 billion by the end of 2004 to fully finance anticipated country proposals.
The Board has so far considered two proposal rounds, approving $1.5 billion to 93 countries over two years. Formal grant agreements have been signed for programmes in 49 countries and many have begun to implement approved programmes.
The Board said the third round of funding faced the most urgent need for resources, with over 200 proposals requesting a total $2 billion already submitted by 85 countries. It expects to receive a recommendation in October to approve at least half of these requests, but only $400 million in pledges is available for 2003.
The Global Fund also praised the outcome of the recent summit in Evian, France, where leaders from the Group of Eight most industrialized countries and Africa, as well as Mr. Annan, reaffirmed their support for the Fund.
“In authorizing up to $1 billion for its 2004 fiscal year, President Bush and the US Congress challenged other donors to respond, and they have. President Chirac has led an effort for Europe to raise $1 billion and called on public and private donors outside the US and Europe to also raise $1 billion,” the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Richard Feachem, said.