Strategic partnership to promote global health
In a move that underscores its leading role in supporting global health, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Fund for Development, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Under this memorandum, the Kingdom will provide a grant of $39 million to support the Fund's efforts in combating these deadly diseases. The memorandum was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, Mr. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid, and the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mr. Peter Sands, in the presence of the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila.
Historical background of a long-standing partnership
This grant is a continuation of the long and fruitful partnership between the Kingdom and the Global Fund, which was established in 2002 as an innovative financing mechanism aimed at mobilizing resources and accelerating the eradication of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Kingdom has been among the first countries to support the Fund since its inception, with its total contributions through the Saudi Fund for Development exceeding $200 million. This ongoing commitment reflects the Kingdom's belief in the importance of joint international action to address the health challenges threatening the most vulnerable communities around the world.
Grant objectives and expected impact
The new grant aims to support the Global Fund's programs from 2026 to 2028, focusing on several key areas. These include strengthening prevention and early detection services, providing treatment and care for those infected, and, most importantly, reinforcing health and community systems in developing countries. Building strong health systems not only helps combat these three diseases but also enhances countries' resilience to future epidemics, directly contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Strengthening the Saudi role on the international stage
During the signing, Professor Sultan Al-Murshid emphasized that this contribution comes within the framework of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to support global health and ensure access to essential health services for communities in need. For his part, Mr. Peter Sands commended the Kingdom's leading role, considering this support not only a contribution to saving lives today, but also an investment in building a healthier and safer future for all. This initiative aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the Kingdom's position as a key player in international development and humanitarian work, and to solidify its image as a force for global stability and prosperity.
