“Remarkable progress” on AIDS response has been achieved, but to be sustained UN calling for innovative sources of financing and continued support for the Global Fund that helps countries achieve their targets in this field. The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) hailed the achievements of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since it was established 10 years ago. “The organization has made a profound difference in saving millions of lives around the world. It has created momentum and helped countries achieve results,” said the agency, noting that the Fund has approved more than $22.6 billion in grants to 150 countries over the past decade. UNAIDS “has made a profound difference in saving millions of lives around the world. It has created momentum and helped countries achieve results.” Article – “Game Changer in Fight on AIDS/HIV” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/game-changer-in-fight-on-aidshiv-by-susan-sacirbey/41970 “UNAIDS is confident, that in the Global Fund’s transition phase, its transformation plan will help deliver further results. The remarkable progress achieved in the AIDS response must be sustained and accelerated, UNAIDS urges the international community to urgently explore innovative sources of funding to bridge the gap in global resources for AIDS. It also calls on countries to revise and reprioritize AIDS investments as well as national AIDS strategies.” Thee has been though a drop-off in donations/funding in last 2 years. (See Below Press Release) This raises concern are we losing focus? The next few years were originally envisioned to see a doubling of funding from 2009 levels to 2015; however the trend appears slightly downward, probably in part due to global economic pressures. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook = Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX FOLLOW Mo on Twitter Link to UNAIDS - www.unaids.org/en/#1 PRES Statement from UNAIDS UNAIDS commits its support to the Global Fund and calls for solidarity A fully-funded Global Fund is essential to help countries reach their AIDS response targets by 2015 Geneva, 24 January 2012—In the ten years since the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) was established, the organization has made a profound difference in saving millions of lives around the world. It has created momentum and helped countries achieve results. • In the past decade, the Global Fund has approved more than US$ 22.6 billion in grants to 150 countries. • Global Fund grants are helping countries provide 3.3 million people access to HIV treatment. • The Global Fund has ensured that more than one million pregnant women living with HIV have had access to antiretroviral drugs to prevent the transmission of HIV to their children. UNAIDS is confident, that in the Global Fund’s transition phase, its transformation plan will help deliver further results. UNAIDS will continue to work in partnership with countries and with the Global Fund to reduce risks and ensure high-impact programmes continue on the ground. The remarkable progress achieved in the AIDS response must be sustained and accelerated. UNAIDS urges the international community to urgently explore innovative sources of funding to bridge the gap in global resources for AIDS. It also calls on countries to revise and reprioritize AIDS investments as well as national AIDS strategies. In 2011, UN member states pledged to invest between US$ 22-24 billion per year by 2015 for the global AIDS response. Last year, US$ 15 billion was available, however international funding has fallen from US$ 8.7 billion in 2009 to US$ 7.6 billion in 2010.