Global Health Funding Boost: Saudi Arabia Pledges USD 39 Million To The Global Fund

Saudi Arabia has agreed a new grant of $39 million to support international work against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, confirming continued backing for global health programmes targeting vulnerable communities in developing countries between 2026 and 2028 through the Saudi Fund for Development.

The funding comes under a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, designed to improve prevention, treatment and care services and to strengthen health and community systems in countries most affected by these three diseases.

The memorandum was signed in Geneva by Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad and Executive Director of the Global Fund Peter Sands, with Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila attending.

According to the memorandum, the $39 million grant will support programmes run by the Global Fund that aim to reduce infections and deaths from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, while also backing wider community health services so that local systems become more resilient against future disease outbreaks.

Saudi Arabia’s latest pledge adds to previous contributions through the Saudi Fund for Development, with total support to the Global Fund since 2002 now exceeding $200 million, reflecting a long-term development relationship focused on improving the capacity of national health systems worldwide.

During the signing ceremony, Sultan Al-Marshad highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing role, through the Saudi Fund for Development, in advancing global health and tackling epidemics, stressing that essential health programmes must reach the most vulnerable groups while helping countries pursue sustainable development goals.

Peter Sands noted that Saudi Arabia has been a committed partner of the Global Fund since its establishment and said the $39 million pledge shows the Kingdom’s continuing leadership in global health and its contribution to stronger health systems and better protection from future health challenges for communities worldwide.

With inputs from SPA