“In recent years, we have seen a tougher climate and dwindling interest in women’s rights, and particularly sexual and reproductive rights. For this reason, Sweden’s contribution to the Global Fund is particularly important. Through this increased contribution, Sweden will remain a strong donor to global action for health. And with this, we will also have increased expectations and demands that the Global Fund will deliver in Sweden’s priority areas, including preventive efforts, equitable health, human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002 to tackle the catastrophic burden posed at the time by these three diseases.

The aim is to reduce the spread of the diseases and strengthen health systems to be able to offer care, and thus contribute to poverty reduction and improved health and survival outcomes.

Since its launch, the Global Fund has helped save 32 million lives. In 2018, 18.9 million people received antiretroviral treatment for HIV with support from the Global Fund, 5.3 million people were tested and treated for tuberculosis, and 131 million mosquito nets were distributed to protect families from malaria.

Today, the Global Fund is one of the largest international global health financiers, investing around $4 billion annually in programs implemented by organisations in the countries and communities with the greatest disease burden and need for support.

The Global Fund is an important partner in achieving Sweden’s development policy objectives on poverty reduction, universal fundamental and equitable health, human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights. This support has a central role in efforts to realise the 2030 Agenda.

“I am looking forward to the global conference to be hosted by President Macron in Lyon next week, at which I will further highlight our priorities,” says Mr Eriksson.