14 billion goal in sight for fighting AIDS, TB, malaria

LYON, France –Governments, philanthropists and private firms were on course Thursday, October 10, to reach a target of $14 billion for a plan to save 16 million lives in the global fight against the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

The money was promised at a replenishment meeting in Lyon, France, of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, at which Macron engaged in intense diplomacy to exhort countries to step up donations.

"The funds that are being asked of us are not... charity. It is a decision to invest against injustice," he added, highlighting the disproportionate rate of infection and deaths from the 3 diseases in poor countries and among women and girls.

The fund had asked for $14 billion, a sum it says will save 16 million lives between 2021 and 2023.