Last weekend, world leaders came together in Montreal, Canada to make history, raising nearly US$13 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. These pledges amount to the largest multilateral commitment to a global health project ever, which will replenish the world’s “war chest” to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria for the next three years.
But we’re not just celebrating the funding; we’re celebrating the real impact that this money will unlock. The Global Fund’s support — along with other donors, the private sector, and the investments made by countries themselves — has already saved 20 million lives. The pledges made at the replenishment conference will save an additional 8 million lives in the next three years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) with #GirlsEverywhere activists Patricia Ochieng (right) and Consolata Opiyo (left). (Photo credit: Dave Chan)
To mark this historic moment, ONE hosted a town hall in Montreal with champions like Patricia Ochieng and Consolata Opiyo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Bill Gates, Danai Gurira, and Bono. But at the center of the celebration was you — the ONE members who took over 395,628 actions to support the Global Fund, like signing Patricia and Consolata’s letter calling on Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to create a better future for girls everywhere. It probably only took a minute to do, but when we pull together on that scale, our leaders listen.
During his opening remarks at the Conference, Prime Minister Trudeau reconfirmed that he wholeheartedly agrees Poverty is Sexist before increasing Canada’s pledge to $804 million CAD—a 23% increase from the last Global Fund replenishment. Several other donors also increased their pledges, many new partners pledged for the first time, and private sector contributions more than doubled.
ONE members in Montreal rally for #GirlsEverywhere and #PovertyIsSexist on Friday, Sept. 16. (Photo credit: Dave Chan)
This isn’t the end of the effort — it’s just the beginning. We hope other donors will step up for the Global Fund in the months to come. And we’ll be watching all donors closely to make sure they deliver the funds they have promised.
But today, we hope you’ll help us celebrate.
