The Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases initiated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Thursday welcomed Frances plan to significantly boost its contributions over the next two years.
President Jacques Chirac announced that France would increase its pledge to 300 million euros for 2007 – double the amount it has given this year – to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a unique public-private partnership created three years ago on Mr. Annans initiative to attract additional resources in the battle against the three diseases.
Last week, after Australia increased its pledge, the Fund called on donor governments to follow the example set by that country and, this past February, by Canada, to at least double their pledges for 2005 and beyond to help the fund respond to projected resource challenges.
– To meet our current commitments, we will need 2,3 billion US dollar in 2005, 3,5 billion in 2006 and 3,6 billion in 2007, the Funds executive director Richard Feachem said.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
