Last updated on: 07 April 2026
Today, the European Commission announced its intention to pledge a total of €700 million overall for the 8th Global Fund’s replenishment, subject to the outcome of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations.
At a time when budgets are under strain, priorities are competing, and the world feels increasingly unstable, stepping up for people affected by HIV, TB and malaria around the world is very welcome and a clear sign of the EU’s ambition to lead on global health. This commitment will help save millions of lives and keep everyone safer, including in Europe. It will support Africa’s ability to lead on its own health priorities, and build resilience in places under severe stress. This includes countries affected by war, such as Ukraine, where the continuity of HIV and TB services is critical not only for emergency response, but also for long-term recovery. With many donors cutting back on aid, the Commission’s renewed support for the Global Fund sends a much-needed signal of leadership and solidarity.
While the announced €700 million is slightly lower than in the current funding period, we hope that ongoing EU budget discussions will make it possible for the Commission to go the extra mile and increase its pledge to €800 million. Such an increase would help soften the impact of shrinking health aid, speed up the rollout of new potentially transformational tools to eliminate the three diseases, and ensure the people most at risk are not left behind.
Finally, we hope this moment highlights the need for the EU to properly fund efforts that tackle global challenges in the next long-term budget. Defending the overall envelope of the Global Europe Instrument, introducing a benchmark for human development, and ensuring sufficient resources for global health will be essential. This will allow the European Commission to match its policy ambitions – including the forthcoming Global Health Resilience Initiative – with the funding needed to turn them into reality.
Aidsfonds | Friends of the Global Fund Europe | Alliance for Public Health | Global Health Advocates |The ONE Campaign
