Global Fund Launches Investment Case for 7th Replenishment Conference: United to Fight for What Counts

Since 2002, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria (Global Fund) has invested more than $53 billion, saving 44 million lives and reducing the burden of the three diseases by 40% in its recipient countries. Every life saved and every infection averted has a multiplier effect in thousands of communities worldwide.

Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the hard-won gains made against HIV, TB, and malaria by disrupting access to lifesaving health care services and stressing social inequities, driving the world away from reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Resources from the Global Fund played a vital role in helping communities stave off the worst-case scenario, enabling them to implement lifesaving programs whenever possible, providing the tools frontline health workers needed to be protected, and helping to reinforce health systems. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to jeopardize the health and security of people across the world, now more than ever, increased resources are needed to fight for what counts: a healthier, safer, equitable future for all.

The Global Fund’s Investment Case for the 7^th Replenishment calls on global leaders to invest $18 billion to get back on track to end HIV, TB, and malaria, accelerate progress towards the SDGs, and strengthen health systems to reinforce pandemic preparedness by 2030.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2021, the malaria fight is at a precarious juncture, with half the world’s population still at risk of the disease.

On February 23^rd and 24^th, the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa joined global leaders, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to formally kick off the Global Fund’s 7^th Replenishment campaign. The next several months will be a test of global solidarity, resolve, and political leadership, as the Global Fund works to mobilize endemic countries, donor governments and private sector partners to make increased pledges. The 7^th Replenishment Conference, hosted in the U.S. by the Biden Administration, is expected to take place in the fall of 2022.

Big Asks with Big Results 

$18 billion would save 20 million lives, cut the death rate from HIV, TB, and malaria by 64% and strengthen systems for health to build a healthier, more equitable world. A successful Replenishment would allow the partnership to deliver on malaria and contribute to the achievement of the overall SDG agenda:

• Reduce malaria cases by 66%, from 239 million to 81 million by 2026, relative to 2020 levels.
• Avert malaria deaths by 64% from 623,000 to 234,000 by 2026, relative to 2020 levels.
• Increase use of mosquito nets in sub-Saharan Africa from 43% in 2020 to 52% by 2026.
• Treat 550 million malaria cases through public sector systems between 2021 and 2026.
• Eliminate malaria from an additional six countries by 2026.
• Yield a return on investment of 1:31 with every dollar invested in fighting the three diseases resulting in US$31 in health gains and economic returns.

Upon announcement of the investment case for the 7^th Replenishment, the Global Fund’s Executive Director, Peter Sands, noted that “In the face of the catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on the fight against HIV, TB and malaria, the choice is stark – we either increase funding, or we abandon hope of finally defeating these epidemics by 2030.” 

“A fully resourced Global fund is not only critical to saving millions of lives and putting us back on a path to eliminate malaria, HIV and TB. It’s also critical to further strengthening health systems that can detect and respond quickly and effectively to health threats,” shared UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets Executive Director Margaret McDonnell. “We will continue to rally communities and build strong bipartisan support for The Global Fund as well as the President’s Malaria Initiative to ensure we continue to progress towards a healthier, more equitable world that’s free of malaria.”

The deadline to achieve the SDGs is only a short 8 years away, and the world has a long way to go in reducing the burden of HIV, TB, and malaria to meet this goal in 2030. A robust replenishment of the Global Fund will be essential to ensuring we are on the right path to meet the Global Goals—a commitment we all must keep for ourselves and future generations.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Global Fund awarded over $4.1 billion to over 100 countries to fight COVID-19 and protect lifesaving HIV, TB, and malaria programs.