Italy has been a strong supporter and advocate of the Global Fund from the outset, playing a major role in the creation of the Global Fund at the G8 Summit in Genoa held in 2001. In addition, the first meeting of donors to raise resources for the Global Fund was held in Rome in 2005 under the auspices of the Italian government.

Italy remains a major donor to the Global Fund as the ninth largest public donor, contributing a total of € 1.13 billion to date. For the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund, Italy pledged € 161 million – a 15% increase from its pledge for the Fifth Replenishment. 

Italy held the G20 Presidency in 2021, an important milestone as the COVID-19 pandemic continued into its second year. Under the leadership and with the support of the G20, the G20 demonstrated its commitment and support to the Global Fund through “… we note the essential role of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria, on its 20th Anniversary, in the global response to COVID-19, as well as its sustained investments in health systems strengthening to combat existing and future pandemics” (G20 Health Ministers Declaration) and “We will continue to support initiatives aimed at fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria” (G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration).