GFO Issue 461, Article Number: 2
ABSTRACT
This article provides a detailed overview of the 53rd Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, held from May 7 to 9, 2025. It outlines the agenda by day, highlighting key sessions categorized as informational, input-seeking, or decision-making. The article emphasizes discussions on strategic risk, health system strengthening, governance, and the upcoming 8th replenishment campaign. It concludes by underscoring the likely impact of the suspended U.S. aid and the critical importance of securing future funding - a looming challenge that may overshadow formal proceedings.
The 53rd Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, scheduled for May 7 to 9, 2025, will take place in a particularly tense context. Health systems, still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, now face new emerging threats, while the Global Fund finds itself at a critical juncture: the Eighth Replenishment (CG8) is on the horizon, and uncertainty looms over the potential suspension of U.S. aid.
Amid this climate of instability, the Global Fund has opted for significant budget cuts. Coupled with the decision to hold many Board sessions behind closed doors, this approach risks fueling tension and mistrust, while limiting the open and free expression of stakeholders.
Here is an overview of the agenda for this crucial meeting, outlining the items to be discussed day by day.
Wednesday, May 7 – Foundation and strategic reflection
The first day of the meeting, often referred to as the “pre-day,” focuses on setting the stage with preparatory sessions, key reports, and closed-door reflection.
Discussions begin with a session on Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH), shared for information. This update provides insight into how structural investments by the Global Fund continue to reinforce the capacity of health systems in low-income countries. In the post-COVID era, such investments are critical to sustaining HIV, TB, and malaria gains while preparing for future crises.
Next is the Annual Report and Opinion of the Ethics Officer, presented for information. This report reflects on the Fund’s integrity and compliance framework for 2024, touching on transparency in decision-making, conflict of interest management, and internal ethics procedures - crucial for maintaining donor confidence.
The Annual Report of the Independent Evaluation Panel (IEP) is also shared for information. This external review assesses the effectiveness and relevance of Global Fund investments, helping identify where strategies are working and where course corrections are needed.
The afternoon features a Board Retreat, held for input, restricted to Board Members and Alternates. In this confidential setting, members are expected to deliberate on strategic challenges not explicitly listed in the agenda - such as the evolution of the Global Fund’s financing model, the balance between vertical and systems investments, and mounting concerns over the future of U.S. funding.
Thursday, May 8 - Operational reports and strategic oversight
Day two marks the formal opening of the Board Meeting and features a mix of informational briefings, input sessions, and decision-making points.
The day begins with a closed session, held for decision, likely involving internal governance matters or sensitive financial issues.
The Opening of the Board Meeting includes symbolic and procedural elements, such as a candle-lighting moment of reflection. The Board will also formally approve the agenda and designate the rapporteur, requiring a decision.
The Executive Director’s Report follows, presented for information. This verbal update will outline progress on 2025 institutional priorities, such as programmatic performance in HIV, TB, and malaria, procurement and supply chain innovations, and steps toward strategic targets.
The next session is a disease and RSSH update, shared for information, providing a forward-looking view on epidemiological trends, innovations in service delivery, and risks to disease trajectory targets. Partners from the field will also present how recent global developments are affecting programs on the ground.
The Risk Management Report and Annual Opinion is presented for input. The report highlights strategic risks facing the Fund - from global supply chain vulnerabilities to regulatory shifts - and invites the Board to weigh in on mitigation strategies.
The day concludes with the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) 2024 Annual Report, shared for information. This is a cornerstone of institutional accountability, summarizing findings on governance, risk controls, and internal compliance across the Fund’s operations.
Friday, May 9 – Looking ahead: resources, reform, and key decisions
The final day of the meeting looks decisively toward the future, with sessions focused on fundraising strategy, structural reforms, and financial governance.
Discussions open with Considerations for the 8th Replenishment (GC8), shared for input. This will be a key session. Board members will offer guidance on the design of the upcoming replenishment campaign in a landscape made more uncertain by the potential withdrawal of U.S. support. Questions on donor diversification, fundraising targets, and strategic messaging will take center stage.
This is followed by proposed revisions to the Technical Review Panel (TRP) Terms of Reference, submitted for decision. These changes aim to align the TRP's mandate with today’s challenges - ensuring technical soundness while embracing the broader systems agenda and measurable outcomes.
The Resource Mobilization Update, presented for input, complements the GC8 discussion. It will include an overview of early donor commitments, emerging private-sector initiatives, and plans for financial innovation to support funding targets.
The formal agenda closes with a series of written-only updates, shared for information, covering governance selection processes, country funding status, privileges and immunities, financial recoveries, strategic performance, market shaping, and the TRP’s annual performance review.
Conclusion
While the official agenda covers a wide range of operational and strategic issues, two subjects are likely to dominate the discussions, even if they are not explicitly listed as items for debate: the eighth replenishment of resources (GC8) and the uncertainty in the funding landscape with many countries which have reduced their ODA including the closing of the USAID. These financial issues will weigh heavily on future decisions, and could determine the Fund's ability to continue its central role in the fight against major pandemics. This meeting could therefore prove to be a real test of resilience and collective leadership in the face of growing uncertainties.
The 53rd Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, scheduled for May 7 to 9, 2025, will take place in a particularly tense context. Health systems, still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, now face new emerging threats, while the Global Fund finds itself at a critical juncture: the Eighth Replenishment (CG8) is on the horizon, and uncertainty looms over the potential suspension of U.S. aid.
Amid this climate of instability, the Global Fund has opted for significant budget cuts. Coupled with the decision to hold many Board sessions behind closed doors, this approach risks fueling tension and mistrust, while limiting the open and free expression of stakeholders.
Here is an overview of the agenda for this crucial meeting, outlining the items to be discussed day by day.
Wednesday, May 7 – Foundation and strategic reflection
The first day of the meeting, often referred to as the “pre-day,” focuses on setting the stage with preparatory sessions, key reports, and closed-door reflection.
Discussions begin with a session on Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH), shared for information. This update provides insight into how structural investments by the Global Fund continue to reinforce the capacity of health systems in low-income countries. In the post-COVID era, such investments are critical to sustaining HIV, TB, and malaria gains while preparing for future crises.
Next is the Annual Report and Opinion of the Ethics Officer, presented for information. This report reflects on the Fund’s integrity and compliance framework for 2024, touching on transparency in decision-making, conflict of interest management, and internal ethics procedures - crucial for maintaining donor confidence.
The Annual Report of the Independent Evaluation Panel (IEP) is also shared for information. This external review assesses the effectiveness and relevance of Global Fund investments, helping identify where strategies are working and where course corrections are needed.
The afternoon features a Board Retreat, held for input, restricted to Board Members and Alternates. In this confidential setting, members are expected to deliberate on strategic challenges not explicitly listed in the agenda - such as the evolution of the Global Fund’s financing model, the balance between vertical and systems investments, and mounting concerns over the future of U.S. funding.
Thursday, May 8 - Operational reports and strategic oversight
Day two marks the formal opening of the Board Meeting and features a mix of informational briefings, input sessions, and decision-making points.
The day begins with a closed session, held for decision, likely involving internal governance matters or sensitive financial issues.
The Opening of the Board Meeting includes symbolic and procedural elements, such as a candle-lighting moment of reflection. The Board will also formally approve the agenda and designate the rapporteur, requiring a decision.
The Executive Director’s Report follows, presented for information. This verbal update will outline progress on 2025 institutional priorities, such as programmatic performance in HIV, TB, and malaria, procurement and supply chain innovations, and steps toward strategic targets.
The next session is a disease and RSSH update, shared for information, providing a forward-looking view on epidemiological trends, innovations in service delivery, and risks to disease trajectory targets. Partners from the field will also present how recent global developments are affecting programs on the ground.
The Risk Management Report and Annual Opinion is presented for input. The report highlights strategic risks facing the Fund - from global supply chain vulnerabilities to regulatory shifts - and invites the Board to weigh in on mitigation strategies.
The day concludes with the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) 2024 Annual Report, shared for information. This is a cornerstone of institutional accountability, summarizing findings on governance, risk controls, and internal compliance across the Fund’s operations.
Friday, May 9 – Looking ahead: resources, reform, and key decisions
The final day of the meeting looks decisively toward the future, with sessions focused on fundraising strategy, structural reforms, and financial governance.
Discussions open with Considerations for the 8th Replenishment (GC8), shared for input. This will be a key session. Board members will offer guidance on the design of the upcoming replenishment campaign in a landscape made more uncertain by the potential withdrawal of U.S. support. Questions on donor diversification, fundraising targets, and strategic messaging will take center stage.
This is followed by proposed revisions to the Technical Review Panel (TRP) Terms of Reference, submitted for decision. These changes aim to align the TRP's mandate with today’s challenges - ensuring technical soundness while embracing the broader systems agenda and measurable outcomes.
The Resource Mobilization Update, presented for input, complements the GC8 discussion. It will include an overview of early donor commitments, emerging private-sector initiatives, and plans for financial innovation to support funding targets.
The formal agenda closes with a series of written-only updates, shared for information, covering governance selection processes, country funding status, privileges and immunities, financial recoveries, strategic performance, market shaping, and the TRP’s annual performance review.
Conclusion
While the official agenda covers a wide range of operational and strategic issues, two subjects are likely to dominate the discussions, even if they are not explicitly listed as items for debate: the eighth replenishment of resources (GC8) and the uncertainty in the funding landscape with many countries which have reduced their ODA including the closing of the USAID. These financial issues will weigh heavily on future decisions, and could determine the Fund's ability to continue its central role in the fight against major pandemics. This meeting could therefore prove to be a real test of resilience and collective leadership in the face of growing uncertainties.
