Norway’s contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) will be increased from NOK 126 million for 2005 to NOK 270 million for 2006.Thanks to Norway and other donor countries the fund will have NOK 23 billion at its disposal.

Together with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson attended an international donor conference in London today. The purpose of the conference is to secure funding for the Global Fund.

The Development Minister announced that Norway will double its contribution to the fund. Over the next two years, Norway will provide a total of NOK 585 million, of which NOK 270 million will be given in 2006. This year Norway is giving NOK 126 million. All in all, about NOK 23 billion (USD 3.7 billion) of support was pledged to the fund in London today.

The Global Fund is a key actor in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and since its establishment it has spent NOK 19 billion on support for projects in 128 countries. More than half the funds are used to fight HIV/AIDS.

- AIDS is causing a global development crisis and it is the poorest of the poor in the very poorest countries who are suffering the most. The doubling of the Norwegian contribution is part of an intensification of Norway’s fight against AIDS. In the 2006 government budget proposal the Government will include a package of HIV/AIDS measures involving an additional NOK 300 million, said Minister Johnson.

Press contact: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, tel. 91 70 81 22