SYDNEY, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — The Australian government has announced that it will provide 266 million Australian dollars (172.7 million U.S. dollars) in funding over the next three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The funding commitment was made on Wednesday by Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and International Development Minister Anne Aly, who said in a joint statement that Australia remains “steadfast” in its commitment to supporting the Indo-Pacific to tackle high-burden diseases.
“Australia is firmly committed to strengthening health outcomes in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and playing our part in addressing global health challenges,” Wong said. “Our investment in partners like the Global Fund helps ensure our region’s needs are prioritized, contributing to a healthier Indo-Pacific and a safer and more secure Australia.”
The fund says it has helped save 65 million lives and significantly increase life expectancy in low and middle-income countries since it was established by the United Nations in 2002.
The Australian government’s funding commitment for the next three years matches its previous commitment made in 2022. ■