While a ‘relief’ internationally, the commitment falls short of expectations and represents a ‘diminution of the UK’s global role’
The UK has pledged £1 billion to an initiative set up to fight three of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, a decision that will be met with “relief” internationally, including by Joe Biden’s government.
The new commitment for the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria follows concerns that Britain – which helped to establish the initiative – was not going to donate, after it promised nothing at a fundraising event in September.
The Global Fund was set up in 2002 and has been credited with saving 50 million lives in the years since. The UK is usually a top donor, but delayed contributing after Queen Elizabeth II’s death and amid huge political turmoil at home.
Yet internationally, this raised concerns that Britain was stepping back from the fund – especially because the aid budget was slashed from 0.7 per cent of national income to 0.5 per cent, effectively wiping out around £3bn.