Representatives of THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA; colleagues AND EXPERTS from OUR MEMBER STATES IN THE Region; participants from the SOUTH East Asia Region; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Welcome to Manila and to the Workshop on Global Fund Grant Document Finalization and Implementation Planning, which has been jointly organized by this office with the Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva.
Since the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created in 2002, it has dramatically increased the resources available globally to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. The Global Fund has become the single biggest financer of the HIV, TB and malaria programmes in many countries.
In the Western Pacific Region, the Global Fund financing for the three diseases has increased from just eight grants amounting to only US$ 110 million in 2002 to 70 grants in 2008, totalling more than US$ 2 billion over six years.
In last year's Global Fund Round 9, more than US$ 600 million was added to this total from seven disease-control and health systems proposals that were approved by the Global Fund Board.
The magnitude of the funding flowing to HIV, TB and malaria and related health systems is unprecedented in the history of public health.
We now have a rare opportunity to make an impact if we combine sufficient financing and a commitment by governments and their partners, along with a sound strategy for combating these diseases and strengthening health systems.
To do this, we need to work together. As the Global Fund is not an implementing agency, national governments, civil society, communities and our partners need to work together to design, plan, implement and scale up interventions that will create an impact at the country level.
WHO has been a key partner of the Global Fund since its inception. WHO has been supporting countries extensively in every step of the Global Fund process, from the conception of a proposal, during grant negotiations, to implementation and monitoring.
WHO's technical assistance combines normative technical guidance, responsiveness to national priorities and strategic prioritization across the health sector.
Those of you implementing Global Fund grants know that when WHO is engaged, you have the entire network of WHO country and regional offices, as well as WHO Headquarters, supporting you to help ensure the grants achieve the goals Global Fund is supporting.
This is your third workshop in the last two years. We believe that having a proposal is not an end itself, but only the beginning of the long and arduous work of designing programmes and implementing activities.
The grants that will be signed will be the blueprint for implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. The Regional Office for the Western Pacific wants to see that grants are implemented effectively and efficiently. This often entails harmonizing and aligning with existing systems and building sustainable ways of working. WHO will continue to be very supportive in this area.
However, I must point out that WHO, as the main technical assistance provider for Global Fund-related activities, continues to face challenges in maintaining and further expanding its support.
While the demand for technical assistance is increasing, funding provided to technical agencies, including WHO, continues to decline, with no clear mechanisms for sustaining such crucial support to scale up multi-million dollar interventions at country levels.
I understand that the country stakeholders will also lay out their plans for technical assistance. We think that this is crucial so that we get the best technical assistance possible by defining clearly and early what is needed, when you need it, and how to deliver them in the best way possible.
WHO will be happy to facilitate this process, and remains committed to continuing to provide technical assistance to Global Fund-related activities in countries.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Global Fund Secretariat for this successful collaboration, and we look forward to stronger collaboration in the future.
I am certain you will have fruitful discussions and a productive workshop. Enjoy your stay in Manila.
Thank you.