Last updated on: 24 November 2025
The Global Fund’s impact speaks for itself: it has saved 70 million lives and reduced the death rate from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by 63 percent in the countries where it invests. With adequate funding, it could achieve even more in the coming years. Last Friday, the Global Fund held its Eighth Replenishment Summit, bringing together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities at a crucial moment for the HIV response. Here, we share our take on the Replenishment Summit.
Significant Funding Raised Amid ODA Cuts
At the summit, $11.34 billion was pledged – a figure that stands out against a backdrop of shrinking development assistance for health globally. At the same time, this falls short of the $18 billion target needed to stay on track to end AIDS as a public health threat – a gap that is deeply concerning. The HIV response is already being disrupted by cuts in development aid, and additional funding is urgently needed to roll out critical innovations such as Lenacapavir and to sustain the extraordinary possibility of ending AIDS.
The Netherlands’ Support Amid a Challening Context
The Netherlands has pledged €195.2 million for 2026–2029. “With this contribution, the Netherlands reaffirms its enduring commitment to the Global Fund,” said Aukje de Vries, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development.
While Aidsfonds notes that this pledge is lower on an annual base than the pledge made three years ago, we welcome the continued support, especially considering the challenging domestic and global context in which these decisions were made. At the same time, we call on newly elected MPs and the incoming government to keep global health high on the agenda and to explore opportunities to increase the Netherlands’ contribution, including through innovative financing options such as debt to health. Bolstering the Dutch contribution will help protect hard-won gains, strengthen health systems, and advance the shared ambition of ending HIV.
All Eyes On The European Commission And Other Major Donors
Some donors – including the European Commission – were unable to pledge during the replenishment event due to budget cycle constraints, while reiterating their strong support for the Global Fund. We urge these donors to come forward and pledge before the Global Fund’s Board Meeting in February 2026. This is critical to enabling the Global Fund to allocate resources on time and to prevent interruptions to country programmes. Millions of people depend on this support, and new drug shortages or service disruptions are simply not an option.
U.S. Funding Can’t Be Left on The Table
Delivering on commitments is all the more crucial as the U.S. has pledged $4.6 billion and maintained its 2:1 matching commitment – meaning other donors must contribute twice that amount to unlock the full U.S. funding. In the current fiscal context, securing these matching funds is critical.
Looking Ahead: The Work isn’t Done
A more ambitious outcome is still within reach – but only if the European Commission comes in with a strong pledge and EU Member States step up with additional top-ups. Europe’s leadership has been central to global health progress, and renewed commitment now will be decisive in closing the gap and keeping the world on track to end HIV.
Photo credit: The Global Fund/Thabang Radebe
