Strengthening efforts to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tone Skogen announced Norway’s contribution at the Global Fund’s Fifth Replenishment Conference in Montreal today. Norway’s contribution for the period 2017-2019 will be 18 % higher than its contribution for the current three-year period. The Global Fund’s goal is to save a further eight million lives by the end of 2019. Its new strategy highlights the need for a change of focus in order to achieve this goal, with particular emphasis on the rights and health situation of girls and women. Access to education is identified as another key factor for success.

‘We are making progress in the fight to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics, but in order to succeed, the entire international community needs to step up its efforts. Financial support is essential, but the political will to combat prejudice and discrimination is equally vital. The current Norwegian Government has made global health and education top priorities because we know that efforts in these areas promote economic growth and development,’ Mr Brende said.  

The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. It provides funding for projects aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in more than 100 countries. In 2015, 40 % of the funding was allocated to efforts to strengthen national health systems. The authorities and civil society in the countries concerned play an active role in the partnership, and the aim is for countries to take on responsibility for providing a larger share of the funding as they become more prosperous.