Rome, 27 June 2016 – Today, the Italian government hosted a high-level conference in support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, announcing that it would pledge €130 million to the Fund for its work in 2017-2019.

Today’s conference was an important milestone before the Global Fund’s Replenishment Conference to be held on 16 September in Montreal, Canada. The Fund has set a target to raise $13 billion over the next three years – enough to save 8 million more lives and prevent another 300 million new infections.
Speaking at the conference, Diane Sheard, interim Europe Director of The ONE Campaign, said:

“Some 5,000 young women in sub-Saharan Africa will be infected with HIV this week, and roughly three out of four adolescents who become infected will be female. It’s not a coincidence — poverty is sexist.

“While the Italian government’s announcement today that it will invest €130 million in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a welcome first step, it falls short of what’s required to help save 8 million additional lives over the next three years. We know that Prime Minister Renzi is personally committed to fighting extreme poverty and therefore hope that he will use the Global Fund’s replenishment conference in Montreal in September to increase the Italian contribution to at least €200 million.

“Last month G7 leaders agreed to fully finance the Global Fund, recognising that it remains the single-best investment on the planet for fighting these deadly diseases. By ensuring Italy plays its part in financing the Global Fund, the Prime Minister will set the stage for a bold Italian G7 presidency agenda next year.”

About ONE:
Co-founded by Bono, ONE is a campaigning and advocacy organization of more than 7 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Not politically partisan, we raise public awareness and press political leaders to combat AIDS and preventable diseases, increase investments in agriculture and nutrition, and demand greater transparency in poverty-fighting programs.

Notes to Editors:

• The high-level conference – The Contribution of the Global Fund to Global Health within the Framework of the Agenda 2030 – was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Friends of the Global Fund Europe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Global Fund needs to raise $13 billion in order to deliver fully its lifesaving work over the next three years, including saving an additional 8 million lives and preventing over 300 million new infections.

For more information:
Giada Cicognola: Tel. +44 7880 201 080 / +44 207 434 6938; e-mail [email protected]
Website: www.one.org – Twitter @ONEinItalia