On September 21, 2022, President Joseph Biden hosted the Global Fund’s 7th Replenishment Conference in New York City, bringing together global leaders like Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Melinda Gates Foundation, and other heads of state (18 overall), cabinet members, and representatives from civil society organizations fighting infectious diseases.
Every three years, the Global Fund raises funds to combat the three major infectious diseases (AIDS, TB, and malaria) through a process known as a “Replenishment.” This year’s Replenishment campaign kicked off in February with a preparatory meeting, co-hosted by five African countries (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa), and seeks to raise funds for 2023 to 2025.
Japan’s role in this year’s Replenishment conference was notable, as this was the first time for a Japanese Prime Minister to be in attendance. In his speech, Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the Global Fund’s 5th Replenishment Preparatory Meeting held in Tokyo in 2015. At that time, Prime Minister Kishida was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he opened his speech by saying, “Today, I am truly pleased to return to the Global Fund family as Prime Minister.” Prime Minister Kishida noted that Japan’s pledge of up to US$1.08 billion was made with the expectation that in addition to accelerating the fight against the three major infectious diseases, the Global Fund will continue supporting health systems strengthening and universal health coverage (UHC), two areas of global health where Japan is a leader.
Kishida also expressed his hope that the Japanese government and related organizations will play a larger role in the decision-making process of the Global Fund, and that Japan will continue contributing to the Global Fund’s mission through its cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
Japan’s pledge was announced ahead of the Replenishment Conference by Prime Minister Kishida during the opening ceremony of the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) in late August. Japan’s early announcement of a nearly 30% increase in its contribution to the Global Fund since the previous replenishment, along with the US announcement of a 30% increase for its pledge in March, played a valuable role in encouraging other donor countries to follow suit.
Expectations for Health Systems Strengthening
As the Global Fund aims to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which kill approximately 2.5 million people annually, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic (which set back progress towards ending all three diseases), the urgency of health systems strengthening was highlighted by many attendees. Because of this, there are expectations that investments in the Global Fund will be used to strengthen health systems and to prevent and prepare for another pandemic in the future.
Contributions
As of September 21, 2022. the total pledge amount for the 2023–2025 period is a record-breaking US$14.25 billion, the largest amount ever raised by the Global Fund. More than 45 governments and over 20 foundations/corporations have pledged generous contributions, with more to be added in the future.
Major Government Contributions
| USA | US$6 billion |
|---|---|
| France | €1.6 billion |
| Germany | €1.3 billion |
| Japan | US$1.08 billion |
| Canada | CA$1.21 billion |
| European Commission | €715 billion |
| Sweden | SEK 3 billion |
| Norway | NOK 2 billion |
| Netherlands | €180 million |
| Australia | AU$266 million |
| Spain | €130 million |
| South Korea | US$100 million |
*Note that this list includes donors that have pledged US$100 million or more. Some contributions, including those from the United Kingdom and Italy, will require future government approval and procedures.(For a complete list of pledges for the 7th Replenishment, please click here.)
Increase in Asian and African Pledges
This replenishment witnessed a record number of pledges, especially from the Asian and African regions. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended this year’s Pledging Conference and announced a contribution of US$100 million, four times the amount of South Korea’s pledge during the 6th Replenishment. In addition, many heads of state and cabinet members from countries receiving Global Fund support (implementing partners) contributed to the Replenishment, with 20 implementing partners, including South Africa (US$13 million), Kenya (US$10 million), and Indonesia (US$10 million) announcing pledges. Indonesia, in particular, was recognized as it holds the G20 Presidency and is a first-time donor to the Global Fund.
Private Sector Engagement
Private foundations and corporations pledged a total of US$1.23 billion, the highest amount to date, including the Gates Foundation’s pledge of US$912 million and (RED)’s pledge of US$150 million. Takeda Pharmaceuticals also reconfirmed its pledge of over US$2 million for the next two years, as part of a five-year pledge it originally announced during the 6th Replenishment.
Related Press Releases:
Primate Minister of Japan and His Cabinet: Speech by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference
MOFA: Prime Minister Kishida’s Attendance at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference
White House: FACT SHEET: President Biden Raises Record Level Funding for Global Health through Global Fund Seventh Replenishment
White House: Remarks by President Biden at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference
Global Fund: Global Fund Partners Pledge Support To End Deadly Diseases, Prevent Future Pandemics
—To learn more about the 7th Global Fund Replenishment, please refer to this page on The Global Fund Investment Case and Preparatory Meeting for 7th Replenishment.
