The 48th Global Fund Board Meeting occurred in Geneva from 15th-17th November 2022. The two African constituencies (East and Southern Africa and West and Central Africa) led by their Global Fund board and alternate board members, and 21 delegates represented the continent.
Decision Approved
The following six key decisions were approved at the board meeting:
- Sources and Uses of Funds
- 2023 work plan
- Operating Expenses (OPEX)
- Extension of the C19RM till December 2025
- Use of wambo.org, the Global Fund purchasing platform for non-Global Fund resources
- M&E Framework including KPIs and Multi-year evaluation calendar
Discussions for input
On the World Bank’s Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, our constituencies supported by the Global Fund’s cautious engagement considering the level of funding 1.4 billion), the other implementers and the importance of the topic.
With regards to communities at the center and gender in the new strategy, our two constituencies highlighted that a successful fight against the three diseases requires that all our communities are involved, empowered, and take a leading role on the interventions. The importance of communities in the prevention and early treatment of HIV, TB, and malaria cannot be overemphasized. A gender approach is needed considering that in Africa, close to 60% of new HIV infections occurred among women while malaria disproportionately affects pregnant women and children.
On risk management, our constituencies insisted that the Global Fund Secretariat work with in-country assurance mechanisms like the Supreme Audit Institutions, the anti-corruption offices, and others, to help mitigate financial risks. The Secretariat should also systematically share risk matrices with the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs), Principal Recipients (PRs), and other key stakeholders.
On Next General market shaping strategy, our constituencies highlighted the importance of capacity building for local manufacturing and getting them to supply on wambo.org. Also, the Global Fund should partner with multiple African stakeholders including the African Union, the African Medicine Agency, Africa CDC, WHO, the Private Sector, etc., to ensure efforts are well coordinated and aligned with the continental vision.
On the OIG 2022 Progress Report, the two African constituencies insisted on the application of the Challenging Operating Environment policy to improve service delivery in fragile countries.
On the sidelines of the Board meeting, the African delegations also met with other delegations to advance and advocate for Africa’s position.
Christelle Muvunyi
