Secretary Thompson Chairs Global Fund Meeting in Geneva

HHS WEEKLY REPORT
June 27 - July 4, 2004

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday to serve as chairman of 8th board meeting of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. At the meeting, the Board will approve the fourth round of grant funding proposals, among other issues.

The Board has already approved 227 grant programs in 122 countries and 3 territories for a total amount of $2.1 billion. The United States remains the largest contributor to the Global Fund has pledged $1.9 billion through 2008. President Bush's FY2005 budget request includes $200 million for the Global Fund.

The Global Fund, a partnership between governments, civil societies, affected communities and the private sector, was created in 2002 to dramatically increase financial resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. The Global Fund attracts, manages and disburses resources to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, but relies on local experts to implement programs directly.

Sixty percent of funds are directed toward HIV/AIDS, 23 percent toward malaria, and 17 percent toward tuberculosis. The Global Fund takes a comprehensive approach to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, funding both prevention and treatment based on locally determined needs. Three-quarters of countries awarded HIV/AIDS funds will use at least a portion of their grants to provide antiretroviral treatment. All HIV grants include prevention activities, most often focusing on young people who comprise 40 percent of all new infections worldwide.

The Global Fund meeting begins on June 28 and concludes on June 30.