The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside governments, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, NGOs, and global and community leaders, this week announced commitments totaling $1.27 billion to improve and save millions of lives. at the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York.
The funding will address overlapping global crises that have reversed progress already made towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals).
The sixth annual edition of the foundation Goalkeeper report notes that nearly all of the Global Goals indicators are off the halfway mark to achieve them by 2030.
Despite these challenges, the report highlights opportunities to accelerate progress by investing in long-term solutions and innovative approaches to rooted problems, including poverty, inequality and climate change.
“This week has underscored the urgency of the challenges we face and the promise of lasting solutions that save and improve lives,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation.
“We can get back on track towards the SDGs, but this is going to require a new level of collaboration and investment from all sectors. That’s why our foundation is significantly strengthening its commitment to help address crises now and ensure long-term impact on critical determinants of health and development.
At the 2022 Global Fund Replenishment Conference, governments and the private sector came together to commit to a record level of commitment that will advance the goal of good health and well-being for everyone.
The funding will support the Global Fund’s goal of saving an additional 20 million lives from HIV, TB and malaria; building more resilient health systems to prevent future pandemics; and get the world back on track to end these diseases by 2030.
This year’s pledge includes the foundation’s largest commitment to the Global Fund of $912 million.
“We see the greatest progress when governments, the private sector and local communities work together on global health programs,” said Bill Gates, co-chair.
“The commitment made this week to fight preventable diseases and save millions more lives through the replenishment of the Global Fund is a major step forward in getting back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the following commitments this week:
*$912 million commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:
This is the Foundation’s largest commitment to the Global Fund. Since 2002, health programs supported by the Global Fund partnership have saved 50 million lives.
He said this funding will help accelerate efforts to end HIV, TB and malaria by 2030 and build the resilient health systems needed to protect against future pandemics. It will also help reduce the disproportionate impact of these diseases on women and girls.
* $100 million to help alleviate the food crisis that is disproportionately affecting communities in Africa and South Asia and address its underlying causes:
This funding will go to:
* The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) to help national governments rebuild resilient and sustainable local food systems.
* The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) to make fertilizer affordable and accessible to smallholders
* The Nigeria-based CGIAR International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Research Center to accelerate work that is already providing farmers with improved and new varieties of crops, such as iron-rich beans; sweet potatoes naturally rich in vitamin A; and naturally hardy cassava, millet, and sorghum.
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In addition, the foundation will double its previous commitment to Child nutrition fund – from 10 to 20 million dollars.
“Our investment will support the fund’s expansion beyond ready-to-use therapeutic foods to include preventive nutrition products for women and children,” the Foundation said.
* $200 million to expand global digital public infrastructure
This funding will help expand infrastructure that low- and middle-income countries can use to become more resilient to crises such as food shortages, public health threats and climate change, as well as to contribute to the pandemic and economic recovery. This infrastructure includes tools such as interoperable payment systems, digital identification, data sharing systems and civil registration databases.
* $50 million to Partners in Health Scholarship Fund to attend Global Health Equity University (UGHE) in Rwanda
This pledge will help catalyze efforts to raise $200 million. The scholarship fund will help students, 75% of whom are women, to attend UGHE and help accelerate efforts to increase the number of health workers in Rwanda and around the world.
This year’s Goalkeepers event brought together global leaders and changemakers to discuss current and future efforts to achieve the Global Goals.
Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain; Bill Gates; Melinda French Doors; more than 300 young agents of change; and other emerging and established leaders from around the world participated in the event.
“Last time we met in person for Goalkeepers, we discussed how the best-intentioned programs can perpetuate inequality if the communities they want to reach are not involved in the design,” said the co-chair Melinda French Gates.
“A lot has changed since 2019, but one thing hasn’t changed: We won’t make progress towards the Global Goals unless those with lived experiences have a seat at the table. I’m proud of our winners of the Goalkeepers Award and the many partners from all corners of the world working to develop this next generation of leaders.
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