[Osaka, Japan, June 25th2019] The Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific (GFAN AP) extends its deepest appreciation to Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Japanese citizens for their contribution to the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) which will save one million lives from AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the coming three-year period.
Prime Minister Abe announced this commitment of US$ 840 million for the Sixth Replenishment at the meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals Promotion Headquarters on 21 June 2019 and the pledge represents a 5 per cent increase compared to the Fifth Replenishment and was announced shortly after Japan contributed US$339.3 million to the Global Fund, bringing Japan close to fulfilling its Fifth Replenishment pledge of US$800 million in March 2019.
“This outstanding gesture by Japan, at a crucial point in global health and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reconfirms that Japan cares about communities living with and affected by the three diseases. Japan’s increased pledge for the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund demonstrates and reaffirms the role of Japan in global health, which will contribute towards rallying other donors for significant increases in their pledges,” said Masaki Inaba, Programme Director for Global Health, Africa Japan Forum and C20 Sherpa, Japan 2019.
In 2000, Japan introduced infectious diseases as an agenda at the G8 Summit in Okinawa, paving the way for the establishment of the Global Fund in 2002. As a founding member of the Global Fund, Japan is the fifth largest public donor cumulatively, and the largest public donor from the Asia-Pacific. To date, Japan has contributed US$ 3.46 billion to the Global Fund.
“With this increased pledge, Japan has once again demonstrated it is stepping up its fight to get back on track in fighting the three diseases and keep the promise of an AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria free world for future generations. The Government of Japan recognizes the role of the Global Fund as a catalyst for domestic resource mobilization and investing in resilient and sustainable systems for health, thereby accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”, said Dr Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, GFAN AP Steering Committee Chair and Executive Director of The Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives, Vietnam. “This commitment from Japan will also contribute towards increased domestic financing for health, a critical element in achieving UHC.”
This year, the Global Fund embarks on its Sixth Replenishment process to raise at least US$14 billion which will contribute towards saving 16 million lives, cutting the mortality rate of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria in half, and contribute towards stronger health systems by 2023. The unwavering support of Japan towards Global Health and UHC through the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment will present us with an opportunity towards the acceleration of progress towards SDG 3 through strengthening health care systems; reinforcing health security; spurring domestic investment of US$ 46 billion; tackling inequalities in health including gender- and human rights-related barriers to access; and yielding a return on investment of 1:19 with every dollar invested.
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Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-PacificGlobal Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific (GFAN AP) is a platform of community and civil society advocates for a fully funded Global Fund. It supports community and civil society mobilisation in the areas of increased domestic financing for HIV, TB and malaria responses; increased donor contributions towards the Global Fund; and ensuring that policy frameworks on health financing take into account community, rights and gender issues. Please visit www.gfanasiapacific.org for more information or contact Rachel Ong, Regional Coordinator at rachel.ong@gfanasiapacific.org, or Niluka Perera, Communications and Coordination Officer at Niluka.perera@gfanasiapacific.org