The European Commission has announced plans to commit €700m to the Global Fund, reinforcing its position as a central player in global health financing.
The pledge, unveiled at the One Health Summit in Lyon by Commissioner Jozef Síkela, is part of a broader package aimed at tackling infectious diseases and strengthening health systems worldwide.
Alongside the headline contribution, the EU will allocate additional funding to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and support research into neglected diseases, signalling a multi-pronged approach to some of the most pressing global health threats.
Commenting on the major fiscal backing, Sikela said: “Global health security is a shared responsibility and a strategic investment in our common future.
“With our support to the Global Fund and our new One Health initiative with Africa, the European Union confirms its commitment to strengthening health systems and global health resilience.
A renewed commitment to the Global Fund
The €700m investment will contribute to the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment cycle, covering the period from 2027 to 2029. Of this, €185m will be made available immediately through the EU’s current long-term budget.
Since its establishment in 2002, the Global Fund has played a critical role in reducing deaths from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
It also invests heavily in strengthening health systems and improving access to care for vulnerable populations, including women and girls.
The EU, alongside its member states – collectively known as “Team Europe” – remains one of the largest contributors. Together, they have pledged over €3bn for the upcoming replenishment, accounting for roughly one-third of all donor funding to the Global Fund.
This latest commitment aligns with the EU’s forthcoming Global Health Resilience Initiative, first outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the 2025 State of the Union address.
The initiative is expected to launch before the summer and will set out strategic priorities for future global health investments.
Tackling AMR across continents
In addition to funding the Global Fund, the Commission has earmarked €46.5m to strengthen health security collaboration between Europe and Africa, with a strong emphasis on antimicrobial resistance.
AMR is widely recognised as one of the most serious threats to global health. Without intervention, it could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with nearly half of those projected to occur in Africa.
Europe is already experiencing its impact, with more than 35,000 deaths each year linked to resistant infections.
The new funding will support surveillance systems, improve laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and enhance prevention and control measures across multiple levels – from national to continental.
It will also help build a stronger One Health workforce, integrating human, animal and environmental health approaches.
Implementation will involve collaboration with key institutions, including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the European Food Safety Authority, as well as research partnerships such as the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions.
Investment in research and development
A further €50m will be directed toward research and development targeting AMR and neglected tropical diseases. Of this, €30m will support the development of new antibiotics and medical countermeasures.
The funding, managed by KfW, will benefit initiatives such as CARB-X and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP).
These organisations focus on accelerating both early-stage research and late-stage clinical development, ensuring a steady pipeline of treatments against resistant infections.
An additional €20m agreement has been signed with the Agence Française de Développement to support the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).
This funding will help advance the development of treatments for dengue, a disease expected to become more prevalent in Europe due to climate change and shifting patterns of vector-borne illness.
Strengthening global health systems
Taken together, the Commission’s latest commitments reflect a broader strategy to reinforce global health resilience.
By combining direct contributions to the Global Fund with targeted investments in AMR and R&D, the EU is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to address both existing and emerging health threats.
The emphasis on partnership, particularly between Europe and Africa, also underscores the need for coordinated, cross-border solutions to global health challenges.
As the Global Health Resilience Initiative takes shape, these investments are likely to form the backbone of the EU’s long-term approach to safeguarding health systems worldwide.
Team Health Accessible
Health & Wellness Editorial Team
HealthAccessible editorial team delivers trusted, accessible, and evidence-based health information for everyone.
