Sánchez announces that Spain will contribute 130 million euros to the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

New York (United States of America)

The President spoke on the opening panel alongside the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and entrepreneurs and philanthropists Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. The conversation focused on climate change, food security and international financing. Sánchez, in his speech, addressed the many global challenges of recent years, such as the pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine, and the climate emergency which, as he stressed, "is not new but we are increasingly seeing its devastating impact on a daily basis".

The President of the Government of Spain has argued that governments must act on many fronts simultaneously and redouble their efforts "without forgetting the goals we had set for 2030". To this effect, Sánchez has announced that Spain will contribute €130 million over the next three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which represents an increase of 30% compared to the 2019 contribution.

"Following the lessons learned during COVID-19, there is room for progress if we continue to build on the positive steps we have taken," the president said. In this regard, Sánchez stressed that governments must guarantee equitable access to international finance, "prioritising the most vulnerable".

"We have shown that we are able to take concrete and tangible actions that help people on the ground. We simply must continue to do so, with the SDGs as our guide," insisted the president.

Spain, a country committed to the fight against climate change

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, attended the event organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Sánchez detailed that no crisis is more connected to the achievement of the SDGs than the climate emergency, and defended the need to increase efforts, paying special attention to natural disasters and better preparedness. This is the case in Spain, which this summer has suffered an intense heat wave and numerous forest fires, as well as in many European countries, which are currently suffering from severe droughts. "Natural disasters are not new, but they are much more frequent and intense, and they are a direct consequence of climate change," the president underlined.

The president also called for increased funding and more attention to adaptation, something to which the Government of Spain is fully committed. Furthermore, the Chief Executive stressed the importance of considering the medium and long terms, because the energy crisis must "act as a catalyst to move more quickly towards a new economic and productive model".

Sánchez also held a brief meeting with Melinda French Gates to discuss official development assistance, global health and gender equality, all issues to which the Government of Spain is committed.

Non official translation