[New York, 25th of September 2019] Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific (GFAN AP) extends its deepest appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom of Spain for its renewed commitment to the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) of EUR 100 million, which also marks the return of the Kingdom of Spain as a donor. The President of the Kingdom of Spain, His Excellency Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón made the announcement on the 24th of September 2019 during his address to the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York, United States of America.
“Since the inception of the Global Fund in 2002, the Kingdom of Spain has contributed USD 724,223,382 to the fight against the three diseases. This renewed commitment, days before the Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund, is a clear indication of its commitment to the fight against the three diseases and the trust it has in the Global Fund to step up the fight and get back on track for AIDS, TB and malaria”, said Dr Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, GFAN AP Steering Committee Chair and Executive Director of the Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), Vietnam.
The ‘Master Plan for Spanish Cooperation 2018 – 2021’ outlines seven priorities, all linked to the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) and includes good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality and peace, justice, and strong institutions among others. Gender equality and democratic governance are cross-cutting sectors of the Kingdom of Spain’s development assistance. Support to governance and civil society, including forwomen’s rights, is the largest sector for bilateral official development assistance (ODA) of the Kingdom of Spain.
“Global Fund priorities complement Kingdom of Spain’s ODA priorities where the Global Fund not only invests in the global HIV, TB and malaria response, its investments also promote gender equality and addresses human rights barriers through its grants. The Kingdom of Spain’s commitment to the Global Fund calls on other remaining donors for increased pledges to the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund to reach at least USD 14 billion”, saidAchut Sitaula, Executive Director of Trisuli Plus, Vice Chair of the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) of Nepal and Member of the Communities Living with HIV and affected by Tuberculosis and Malaria Delegation (Communities Delegation) to the Board of the Global Fund.
This year, the Global Fund embarked on its Sixth Replenishment process to raise at least US$14 billion which will contribute towards saving 16 million lives, cutting the mortality rate of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria in half, and contribute towards stronger health systems by 2023. The unwavering support of Kingdom of Spain towards GlobalHealth and UHC through the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment will present us with an opportunity towards the acceleration of progress towards SDG 3 through strengthening health care systems; reinforcing health security; spurring domestic investment of US$ 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-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 atrachel.ong@gfanasiapacific.org, or Niluka Perera, Communications and Coordination Officer atNiluka.perera@gfanasiapacific.org.