Malaria

On February 18, 2025, the Global Fund launched its eighth replenishment campaign, aiming to raise at least US$18 billion over the 2026–2028 cycle to combat TB, HIV, and malaria while strengthening health systems. The campaign, which is co-hosted by South Africa and the UK, emphasizes broad stakeholder participation and includes a US$2 billion private sector initiative. As it prepares for its 53rd Board Meeting, the Global Fund remains committed to consistent momentum, risk management, and coordinated action to meet its ambitious health goals. This article provides a summary of the primary subjects discussed during the board meeting.

This new issue of the GFO is devoted entirely to the 53rd meeting of the Global Fund Board, which took place from May 7 to 9, 2025, in Geneva, revealing a pivotal moment for the institution as it confronts major funding gaps, governance challenges, and the urgent need for reform. From the Executive Director’s call for unity and realism to debates over grant reprogramming, risk management, and ethical oversight, the meeting underscored the fragile balance between ambition and constraint.

Faced with a sharp decline in international aid, growing competing priorities, and an imminent risk of financial crisis, the Global Fund is making budget cuts—postponing certain expenditures related to infrastructure, equipment, and research—to keep its HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs running. While COVID-19 response efforts remain untouched for now, other critical initiatives risk delays, legal hurdles, and disruptions, particularly for frontline NGOs and contracted partners. The message is clear: “Protect what matters, adapt to the crisis.” The way forward? “Do more with less, without leaving the most vulnerable behind.” But were there really any unnecessary expenses to begin with? In any case, this new budgetary reality is expected to shape much of the discussion at the 53rd Board Meeting, to be held from May 7 to 9, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.

This article analyses the Global Fund’s 2024 OIG Annual Report, which was presented at the 53rd Board Meeting, from May 7 to 9, 2025, in Geneva. The report highlights the Global Fund’s progress amid global uncertainty, identifies key governance-related risks, and calls for bold operational reforms to maximize efficiency and safeguard billions in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

This article highlights the key points of the Global Fund’s 2023-2028 Strategic Performance Summary Report, which will be presented at the 53rd Board Meeting, scheduled to take place from May 7 to 9, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. Without excessive pessimism, the prevailing feeling is a mix of hope and deep concern.

This special issue dedicated to the 53rd Board Meeting, to be held from May 7 to 9, 2025, explores the growing tension between strategic ambitions and budgetary constraints within the Global Fund. Balancing hope, warnings, and ethical dilemmas, it highlights the critical issues that will shape the decisions ahead.

Ce numéro est notre édition semestrielle « Pré-Conseil », dans laquelle nous vous présentons des questions d'actualité, mais surtout des questions liées aux discussions du Conseil d'administration. Le Conseil d'administration se réunit cette semaine et, comme d'habitude, nous vous tiendrons au courant de ses discussions dans la soirée du jeudi 11 mai, après la clôture de la réunion.

Abstract: This is the pre-Board edition of the Global Fund Observer, in which we cover issues of particular relevance to stakeholders (lack of transparency, Challenging Operating Environments and the Additional Safeguards Policy - how well are they working? and the Global Fund's 2022 performance). Other topics include fraudulent practices with long-lasting insecticidal treated nets in Guinea, an update on resource mobilisation and the worrying state of HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

ABSTRACT When the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria was created in 2002, its aim was to provide financial support to developing countries in their battle against the three border-crossing communicable diseases for which treatment and prevention options were available.

ABSTRACT From February 2016 to March 2017, the Global Fund is embarking on a Strategic Actions for Gender Equality Initiative. The initiative will lay the foundation for the Fund’s enhanced focus on gender equality in its 2017-2022 strategy.