By Bunmi Yekini
The European Commission will pledge €700 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as part of renewed efforts to combat major infectious diseases, officials said on Tuesday, alongside fresh investments targeting antimicrobial resistance.
The funding package, announced by European Commissioner Jozef Síkela at the One Health Summit, highlights the European Union’s push to reinforce global health systems and preparedness against future crises.
The Commission said €700 million would go toward the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment, supporting programmes to tackle HIV, tuberculosis and malaria between 2027 and 2029. The partnership, established in 2002, has helped save millions of lives and remains a cornerstone of international efforts to reduce mortality from the three diseases.
The EU and its member states, collectively known as Team Europe, have pledged more than €3 billion to the latest funding round, maintaining their position among the largest contributors.
Focus on antimicrobial resistance
In addition to the Global Fund pledge, the Commission unveiled €46.5 million in new programmes to strengthen health security cooperation between Europe and Africa, with a focus on tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The funding will support disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and stronger coordination between agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
AMR, where bacteria and other microbes become resistant to treatment, is seen as one of the most serious long-term health threats. Without action, it could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with a disproportionate impact on Africa, according to EU estimates.
Research push and new partnerships
The Commission also announced €50 million in research and development funding, including €30 million to support new antibiotics through initiatives such as the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator and the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership.
A further €20 million will back efforts led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative to develop treatments for diseases such as dengue, amid growing risks linked to climate change.
The investments form part of a broader Global Health Resilience Initiative, first outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aimed at strengthening international cooperation and improving the resilience of health systems worldwide.
Officials said the combined measures reflect a strategic shift toward prevention, innovation and cross-border collaboration to address increasingly complex global health challenges.