November 26, 2019
Key Takeaways from the Global Fund’s 42nd Board Meeting
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) held its twice yearly meeting of its donor, civil society, private sector and other board members on November 14-15, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. Below are highlights from that meeting.
Celebrating Success
The Global Fund wrapped up a successful Sixth Replenishment, securing a commitment of $14.02 billion globally to fund efforts to end the epidemics for 2020-2022. Board members expressed appreciation for the collective efforts that led to such a strong mobilization of resources.
Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, expressed determination to use the unprecedented level of resources to maximum effect, and to make progress to ending the epidemics, with a special focus on reaching the people most vulnerable to the diseases.
Citing the record amount achieved at the Replenishment, Sands said this success was driven by the Global Fund’s track record of delivering results, its robust investment case with ambitious goals and intense mobilization of the whole Global Fund partnership, from civil society groups to private sector partners.
Looking Forward
The Board of the Global Fund began programming the $14.02 billion in funding commitments, approving country allocations for the 2020-2022 period, as well as catalytic investments to increase impact in priority areas. The Board approved $13 billion for the 2020-2022 allocation period.
In setting out the priorities for the Global Fund Secretariat for 2020, Sands encouraged the organization to take advantage of opportunities to do things differently. This includes developing new and better multidrug-resistant TB treatments, increased use of bed nets treated to fight insecticide resistance, and continuing to prioritize HIV prevention for young girls and adolescents. Sands also noted that more than 70 percent of the funding raised in the Sixth Replenishment will be signed into new grants by the end of 2020.
A Healthier Future
Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, addressed the Board in a special discussion on the work of the Global Fund and Sustainable Development Goal 3. Piot was closely involved in the creation of the Global Fund in 2002 and stressed the importance of keeping a long-term view, working collaboratively with partners and embracing innovation faster.
He listed several critical priorities for the Global Fund going forward, including: a continued focus on measurable outcomes; prioritizing people-centered services, human rights and a commitment to social justice; and preserving a passion for saving lives. As Global AIDS Coordinator for the United States Ambassador Deborah Birx noted, the Global Fund will have continue to address the epidemics in all populations, like adolescent girls, migrants and displaced peoples, who are affected by the three diseases if it is to end the epidemics.