Geneva: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, committing $39 million to support international efforts against these diseases.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the memorandum was formalized in Geneva with signatures from Sultan Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, and Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. The event was attended by Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva.
The agreement aims to bolster global initiatives targeting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and to improve health and community systems' effectiveness. It also seeks to strengthen prevention, treatment, and care services, particularly in developing countries, during the 2026-2028 period.
During the signing, Sultan Al-Marshad emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment, through the SFD, to advancing global health and combating diseases worldwide. He highlighted the importance of delivering essential health programs to vulnerable communities and supporting sustainable development globally.
Peter Sands expressed that Saudi Arabia has been a dedicated partner of the Global Fund since its inception. He acknowledged the $39 million pledge as a testament to the Kingdom's leadership in global health, contributing to the strengthening of health systems and enhancing resilience against future health challenges for communities worldwide.
Saudi Arabia's cumulative contributions to the Global Fund, facilitated through the SFD, have surpassed $200 million since 2002, underscoring the Kingdom's pivotal role in supporting global health initiatives and fortifying health systems to face global challenges.