The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith MP

Minister of State for Development FCDO

Ref: ML.C0061.CM.29.9.22

Dear Zac,

I am writing further to the UK Government failing to make a pledge during last week's seventh Global Fund Pledging Conference. I would urge you to commit to at least match the £1.4bn over 3 years pledge made at the sixth replenishment conference - and to go further and support the 30% uplift that’s required to release the increased commitment made at the seventh replenishment conference by the US Government.

Many of the other major donors have increased their pledges by 30%, in line with the Global Fund's investment case. The UK has until 21st October to make a new financial pledge and play its part in eradicating TB, Malaria and HIV and AIDS. The global burden of these diseases has not reduced - in fact, the evidence from the Covid pandemic is that many of these burdens have grown over the last three years. So now is not the time for the UK to be stepping back from its commitment to tackling the world’s biggest global health challenges.

I am, therefore, concerned that the UK Government is reported to be considering reducing its pledge in relation to the sixth replenishment pledge. It would be unprecedented for a large donor to the Global Fund to reduce their pledge in this manner and would undermine efforts to end these preventable epidemics by 2030.

The UK is critical to this goal and has been a reliable partner to the Global Fund, as well as the second-largest donor in 2019.  So I am calling on you now to step up, not back.

If the UK refuses to rise to the challenge and follow our counterparts in Spain, the US, France and South Africa by being bold in our contribution, the fight against these diseases and millions of lives hangs in the balance.

I look forward to your positive response.

Best wishes, Caroline