Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that Ireland will contribute €72 million to the Global Fund over the next three years to support the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The pledge was made at the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit. This commitment reflects Ireland’s increased support for global health initiatives and underscores its dedication to combating these deadly diseases worldwide.
The Taoiseach emphasized the impact of the Global Fund’s work, noting that programs supported by the organization have saved an estimated 70 million lives globally. He highlighted that Ireland’s contribution, in partnership with other countries, will help move closer to ending these epidemics and improving health outcomes for millions.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee welcomed the announcement, noting Ireland’s long-standing support for the Global Fund through the Irish Aid programme. She highlighted the Fund’s role in strengthening health systems and addressing epidemics in over 120 countries, and described the increased pledge as a signal of Ireland’s continued commitment to making the world healthier and safer.
The new funding represents a 10% increase over Ireland’s previous commitment of €65 million for the 2023–2025 period. As a founding member of the Global Fund, Ireland has contributed over €339 million since 2002, supporting initiatives that have significantly reduced both the death and incidence rates of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Since its establishment, the Global Fund has helped decrease the combined death rate from these three diseases by 63% and the combined incidence rate by 42% in countries where it invests. Ireland’s pledge contributes to the broader replenishment goal launched in February 2025, which seeks US$18 billion for the 2026–2028 period, with over US$3 billion pledged to date.
