Jose Manuel Albares defends Spain's commitment to global health by increasing funding for AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, during his speech at the International Conference on Financing for Development

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has defended Spain's commitment to global health at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville. Spain will make a new contribution of 145 million euros to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the 2026-2028 replenishment cycle. This amount represents an increase of 11.5% on Spain's commitment for 2023-2025 and is part of Spain's strategy of international leadership in global health.

Participating in the announcement in Seville were the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, the CEO of the Global Fund, Peter Sands, and representatives of partner countries such as Luxembourg, Norway and Portugal. The joint presence of these actors enabled a clear message to be delivered: in the face of an international situation marked by cuts in funds, Spain and its strategic partners have chosen to reinforce their commitments to global health and to the most vulnerable communities on the planet.

With this contribution, Spain is at the forefront of a group of countries that are not only maintaining but increasing their funding and leadership in global health.

The Global Fund is an international financing mechanism created in 2002 that has saved more than 65 million lives since its inception by combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and strengthening public health systems. Spain has been a strong partner in this initiative, with a contribution of 130 million euros between 2023 and 2025, and shares its vision of the universal right to health and equal access to essential supplies.

Spanish Development Cooperation values the Fund's capacity to adapt to new global health challenges, its comprehensive vision of strengthening health systems and its inclusive governance model, which involves governments, NGOs, the private sector and civil society.

Strategic contribution

The new contribution reaffirms the strategic nature of the relationship with the Fund and reinforces Spain's role as a reliable partner in the framework of the multilateral global health architecture.

At a time when the World Health Organisation estimates a drop of up to 40% in global investment in health and when many countries are forced to reduce their financial commitments, this partnership shows that it is possible and necessary to strengthen multilateral commitments to health.

Health has always been a priority for Spanish Development Cooperation, as demonstrated by the contribution of almost 1.5 billion euros to SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) between 2020 and 2023. During this period, Spain has made a firm commitment to support the strengthening of public health systems, equity in access to essential supplies and comprehensive care for vulnerable populations.

Spanish Development Cooperation will continue to promote synergies with other global health initiatives such as GAVI and the Global Financing Facility (GFF), and its bilateral action. This integrated vision will be continued in the framework of the Global Health Action Initiative (SPA), whose roadmap will also be presented in Seville in the coming days.

Non official translation