The European Commission has announced a €700 million pledge to the Global Fund, reinforcing the EU’s role as a key player in global health financing. Unveiled by Commissioner Jozef Síkela at the One Health Summit in Lyon, the commitment is part of a wider effort to combat infectious diseases and strengthen health systems worldwide. Alongside this contribution, the EU will also allocate funds to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and support research into neglected diseases, reflecting a multi-pronged strategy against critical global health threats.
The €700 million will contribute to the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment cycle from 2027 to 2029, with €185 million available immediately through the EU’s current long-term budget. Since its establishment in 2002, the Global Fund has played a pivotal role in reducing deaths from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It also invests in strengthening health systems and improving access to care for vulnerable populations, including women and girls. Together with EU member states, known collectively as “Team Europe,” the bloc has pledged over €3 billion for the upcoming replenishment, representing roughly one-third of all donor contributions. This aligns with the EU’s forthcoming Global Health Resilience Initiative, set to define strategic priorities for future health investments.
In addition to the Global Fund, the Commission has earmarked €46.5 million to enhance health security collaboration between Europe and Africa, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance. AMR is considered one of the most serious global health threats, potentially causing up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, nearly half in Africa. The funding will support surveillance systems, laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and preventive measures, while building a One Health workforce that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Implementation will involve partnerships with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Food Safety Authority, and research initiatives such as the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
A further €50 million will be directed to research and development targeting AMR and neglected tropical diseases, including €30 million for the development of new antibiotics and medical countermeasures through initiatives like CARB-X and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership. An additional €20 million, managed by the Agence Française de Développement, will support the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative to develop treatments for diseases such as dengue, which is expected to expand in Europe due to climate change and shifting vector patterns.
Taken together, these commitments demonstrate the EU’s broader strategy to reinforce global health resilience by combining direct funding to the Global Fund with targeted investments in AMR and research. By prioritizing partnerships, particularly between Europe and Africa, the EU aims to address both current and emerging health threats through coordinated, cross-border solutions. These investments are expected to form the foundation of the EU’s long-term approach to safeguarding health systems and strengthening global health security.
