In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to supporting international efforts to achieve sustainable development and global health security, the Saudi Fund for Development signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Under this agreement, the Kingdom will provide a grant of US$39 million to bolster the global fight against these deadly epidemics during the period 2026-2028.
Details of the agreement in Geneva
The signing ceremony took place in Geneva, Switzerland, with the Saudi side represented by the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid, while the Global Fund was represented by its Executive Director, Peter Sands. The ceremony was also attended by the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila, lending a high-level diplomatic dimension and underscoring the Saudi leadership's commitment to international humanitarian issues.
A historic partnership spanning two decades
This grant is not an isolated event, but rather another link in a long chain of fruitful cooperation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a strategic partner of the Global Fund since its inception, with total contributions from the Kingdom through the Saudi Fund for Development exceeding $200 million since 2002. This ongoing support reflects the Kingdom's vision that eradicating epidemics is not merely a health challenge, but a developmental and economic imperative for developing countries.
Strengthening health systems globally
The new grant aims to go beyond simply providing medicines; it focuses on strengthening the infrastructure of health systems in the most vulnerable countries. This includes supporting prevention programs, improving diagnostic capabilities, and providing necessary care for those living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This initiative comes at a critical time when the world needs concerted efforts to recover from the setbacks caused by recent global health crises and to ensure these diseases do not resurge at high rates.
Sustainable development impact
During the signing, Sultan Al-Murshid affirmed that this contribution stems from the Kingdom's sense of responsibility towards the international community and its commitment to ensuring access to essential healthcare services for the most vulnerable groups. For his part, Peter Sands commended the Kingdom's leading role, noting that this financial support will directly contribute to building the resilience of communities to future health challenges, thereby enhancing opportunities for economic growth and social stability in the beneficiary countries.
This initiative is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and highlights the role of the Saudi Fund for Development as an active development arm of the Kingdom, extending a helping hand to developing countries not only in infrastructure projects, but also at the heart of human and health development.
