Norway and the Global Fund signed a multi-year contribution agreement for NOK1.7 billion for 2014-2016, signaling a strong partnership in global health and in efforts to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.
The contribution, of US$277 million at the time it was announced during the launch of the Global Fund’s Fourth Replenishment in the United States last December, represents a 26 percent increase above the pledge made by Norway for the Third Replenishment.
The agreement was signed in Oslo between Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende and Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund.
“The Global Fund is our main partner in the battle to achieve Millennium Development Goal 6 on combating infectious diseases,” Brende said. “We need a concerted, global effort to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”
On a per capita basis, Norway is the most generous donor to the Global Fund, with each Norwegian contributing around US$15 to the Global Fund in 2013. Norway allocates 1 percent of its Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance, one of the highest contributions of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Dr. Dybul praised Norway for its leadership on global health and for signing a multi-year contribution agreement, which allows greater predictability of funding and better planning by countries implementing grants to prevent, treat and care for people with AIDS, TB and malaria. He said that Norway has also been a leader in building stronger and resilient health systems globally.
“More mothers and children will be able to live normal lives thanks to the long-term vision and commitment of the Norwegian people,” Dr. Dybul said. “Only through shared responsibility and mutual accountability, will we be able to take advantage of the historic opportunity to achieve victory over HIV, tuberculosis and malaria,” he said.
Dr. Dybul commended Norway for attaching great importance to the links between global health and education, its integrated approach on human rights and its leadership on reducing mother and child mortality through a new global fund called the Global Financing Facility – initiatives that are aligned with the Global Fund’s vision, he said.
“The new funding model is a game-changer that will allow us to deepen partnerships, have a bigger impact and reach those most at need, particularly women and girls.”
Following the launch of the Fourth Replenishment, the Global Fund has received pledges of US$12.3 billion for the 2014-2016 period, the largest amount ever committed to fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Norway is the 12th largest public donor to the Global Fund. The country was one of the drivers behind the “Nordic announcement” following a dinner with President Barack Obama in Stockholm in September 2013, which strongly encouraged other partners to support the Global Fund’s replenishment efforts.
Norway, as other Nordic countries, has strongly supported recent reforms and results achieved by the Global Fund.