UK aid and the Global Fund to fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria

In 2002, the Global Fund was founded as an international organisation to work to end AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria across the world. As of 2022, it has invested more than US$55.4 billion in 155 countries and with its partners has saved an estimated 50 million lives. The UK is one of its largest donors.

This briefing describes the background to the Fund, including the global prevalence of AIDS, TB and Malaria, the effectiveness of the Global Fund, and past and future UK commitments to it.

How effective is the Global Fund?

The UK Government has rated the Global Fund highly (PDF), including in its global reach, value for money, and alignment with UK aid objectives.

In the 2016 review of the multilateral organisations that UK aid funds (PDF), the then Department for International Development (DFID) said the Fund was ­ achieving “exceptional results.” This was the highest possible ranking in the review. The Fund was one of only three of the 38 reviewed bodies to receive the highest rankings in results, value for money and alignment with UK policy.

2024-26 Fund replenishment

In 2022, the Global Fund launched its seventh funding replenishment, covering 2024 to 2026. It is seeking to raise at least US$18 billion, 90% of which will come from donor governments. It says US$15.7 billion was raised.

UK pledges £1 billion for 2023-25

The UK was a founding member of the Fund and to the end of 2021 was its third largest donor, contributing £4.4 billion since 2002.

The UK was not among those pledging money at the replenishment conference in September 2022. However, the Government committed to making a “substantial commitment.”  

The UK’s delay was despite calls from the International Development Committee Chair, Sarah Champion MP, and All Party Parliamentary Group on Malaria and neglected tropical diseases to commit to the Fund.

The Government’s decision over how much to commit occurs within the context of a reduced aid budget, which currently stands at 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI), down from 0.7% of GNI from 2013 to 2020.

On 14 November 2022, the Government announced a pledge of £1 billion for 2023-25. This compares to £1.4 billion pledged for the previous replenishment, and below the £1.8 billion called for by some NGOs and parliamentarians.

Update log

14 November 2022: The UK has pledged £1 billion for 2023-25. A total of US$15.7 billion has been raised for the Fund.