The UK government has reduced its contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by 15%, allocating £850 million for the period 2026–2028. This is another aid cut related to the reorientation of the budget towards defense spending. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
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The Global Fund, based in Geneva, is a key global health initiative. According to the British government, the new contribution will help "save up to 1.3 million lives and prevent 22 million new infections," which is "only 5% less" than the previous funding level.
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Earlier, the UK had already cut support – from £1 billion in 2023–2025, which was a third less than in the previous 2019 cycle. This reflects a general decrease in international aid to 0.3% of GNI, aimed at strengthening the defense budget due to increased geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, other donors are also reducing contributions: Germany has allocated €1 billion (300 million less than before), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has confirmed $912 million – at the level of the previous cycle.
The UK and South Africa plan to hold a joint summit in Johannesburg this month to attract new grants to the Global Fund.