§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to ensure that there are sufficient funds in the Global Fund to meet the £5 billion target for 2005. [137456]
Mr. Gareth ThomasThe UK has a long-term commitment to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). We recognise that in order to be effective the GFATM needs predictable and sustainable financing—which is why the UK recently extended its pledge by a further two years to 2008 bringing our total contribution to US$280million.
In addition, the Prime Minister has encouraged European Union member states to contribute to the GFATM. Last month the EC agreed to accelerate the disbursement of Euros 170 million to the Fund. Currently the 15 EU member states and the Commission are the largest donor to the GFATM, having contributed around 55 per cent. of the total pledge so far of US$4.8 billion.
The Global Fund is one of a number of instruments to tackle these terrible diseases. Since 1997, the Department for International Development has stepped up its spending on HIV/AIDS from £38 million in 1997–98 to more than £270 million in 2002–03. According to UNAIDS, UK is currently the 2nd largest bilateral donor active in the field of HIV/AIDS.
Since May 1997 DFID has committed over £1.5 billion to support the development of health systems in partner countries. This will help to build capacity to deliver medicines to the poor and assist them in making effective choices about the selection of drugs.
§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria is financially secure. [137457]
Mr. Gareth ThomasThe UK was a high profile advocate for the Global Fund for AIDS TB and Malaria (GFATM) and nearly two years after its inception continues to give it its full support.
444WThe UK recognises that the GFATM needs predictable sustainable financing in order to be effective and therefore made a commitment to predictable multi year funding from the very start—increasing our pledge recently to $280 million through to 2008.
The UK, a Board member of the GFATM, works closely with the Fund particularly on improving its financial effectiveness. Decisions taken at the 6th Board Meeting last month—including moving the Fund to a voluntary replenishment system, and to continue to develop financial models that provide regular estimates of resources available for commitment and of demand, will help to give greater clarity on what resources are assured and will provide the GFATM with a sounder financial footing.