Japan commits US$ 800 m to Global Fund

Geneva - Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan on Wednesday committed US$ 800 million for the coming years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, signalling a major increase in his country's support for international efforts to combat the three diseases.

The increase, announced at the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) summit in New York, follows a US$ 560 million multi-year pledge made by Japan in 2008.

Japan is one of the top five donors to the Global Fund. This announcement takes Japans total pledge to the Global Fund to US$ 2.09 billion since it was created in 2002.

Japan's decision to increase its support follows an announcement by France on Monday to boost its own financial commitment to the Global Fund.

The Global Fund which finances programs based on proposals submitted from 145 eligible applicant countries has outlined funding scenarios of between US$13 billion and US$20 billion needed for the coming three years.

More than 40 donor countries, private foundations, and corporations will meet in New York on October 5 to replenish the Global Funds resources for the 2011-2013 period.