FantasticSearch

Whereas:

(1) Concern is increasing over the devastating impact of the three major communicable diseases HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria on human suffering and on economic and social development, and hence on efforts to reduce poverty, in particular for the most vulnerable sections of the populations of developing countries.

(2) The G8 Okinawa Summit of July 2000 pledged to contribute significantly to the fight against communicable diseases and to break the vicious circle between diseases and poverty.

(3) The Council, in its Resolution of 15 May 2001, and the European Parliament, in its Resolution of 4 October 2001, both endorsed a Community Programme entitled Programme for Action: accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction.

(4) The joint Declaration of 31 May 2001 by the Council and the Commission and the European Parliament Resolution of 4 October 2001 on communicable diseases and poverty welcomed the proposal of the UN Secretary General to establish a Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (hereinafter called "Global Fund"), and stressed that contributions to the Global Fund should be additional to existing resources.

(5) At the G8 Genova Summit of July 2001, the Commission announced, with the support of the Community and the Member States, its intention to pledge EUR 120 million in response to the appeal of the UN General Assembly.

(6) This fund is being established on behalf of the international donors community and beneficiary countries. It will be administered by the Trustee of the Global Fund in accordance with the purpose of the fund, as stated in its governance and management rules.

(7) The objective of the fund will be to address the communicable diseases HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries, pursuing a balanced approach with a primary focus on prevention.

(8) The Community agrees to make a contribution of EUR 60 million in 2001 from the Community budget. This contribution will be managed alongside the other contributions to the Global Fund in accordance with the principles of sound and efficient management.

(9) The Commission will propose a legal base for future contributions for the implementation of the Programme for Action on the three communicable diseases including any further contributions to the Global Fund, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: