Written evidence submitted by STOPAIDS, Pandemic Action Network and Malaria No More UK (SFT0067) for inquiry on Soft power: a strategy for UK success?

Submission by STOPAIDS, Pandemic Action Network and Malaria No More UK on global health multilateralism (role of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Unitaid and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance)

What role do regional and international organisations play in bolstering the UK’s soft power offer? How might the UK build partnerships and alliances with these organisations to achieve its soft power goals?

Global health multilateral organisations play a key role in bolstering the UK’s soft power, offering a proven model for collaboration that delivers impact on health outcomes and accelerates progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives for all. The Covid-19 pandemic was a reminder that infectious diseases do not respect borders, the phrase ‘none of us are safe until we are all safe’ encapsulates our interconnectedness and mutual responsibility to take collective action at a global level. It is through collective action, in the form of multilateral partnerships such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Unitaid and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that we have made the biggest leaps in progress in global health towards strong, equitable and resilient health and community systems which are critical for protecting the entire world, including the UK, from future pandemics. The UK government’s decision to cut the aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in 2027 will significantly reduce the impact that UK development spending can have across the world. This also risks impacting the role of the UK in global health multilateralism.  To maintain the UK’s existing partnerships and role within global health multilaterals it is critical that the UK continues as a leading funder with a robust financial contribution to the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment, Unitaid and Gavi's Investment Opportunity 2026–2030.

The UK is a founding member and long-time partner of the Global Fund and Unitaid and is one of Gavi’s six original donors and the largest sovereign donor to Gavi’s core programme. These organisations have a proven track record of success and are critically impactful due to:

●        Equitable partnership models that build trust and mutual respect between donor governments and low-and-middle-income country governments, as well as civil society and community-based organisations

●        A focus on collective ownership and buy-in for planning and implementing health interventions, ensuring they are adaptable allowing them to remain highly relevant

●        Drawing on the diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge of members to catalyse collective action that is more than the sum of its parts

Global health multilaterals are key to the UK’s soft power through collaborative partnership models which progress key priorities for the UK including:

A modern approach to development through genuine partnership

As the UK Government looks to play its role in creating a more secure and prosperous world, global partnerships will be vital. Building trusted relationships with African and Commonwealth countries could continue to be a key diplomatic objective, particularly in the context of an uncertain world where competition for influence is significant. Global health multilaterals such as Global Fund and Gavi play a key role as they champion multilateral partnership models which are based on the principles of collaboration, inclusivity, and equity - put into practice through their unique governance structure. The Global Fund Board includes 20 voting members, with equal representation by implementers and donors, inclusive of communities, civil society and the private sector.  The Gavi Board consists of 18 representative seats (including implementing countries, donor countries, civil society, key partners and the vaccine industry), 9 seats for independent or unaffiliated individuals, and 1 seat for Gavi's CEO. The UK is represented in both governance structures which are pivotal in building partnerships of trust and mutual respect between the UK, other donors, low-and-middle-income country governments as well as civil society and community- based organisations based in global majority countries.

The decision of the UK to co-host the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund in 2025 is a key demonstration of the UK’s commitment to a modern approach to development based on genuine partnership. However, the UK government’s decision to cut the UK’s aid budget will not only reduce the impact that UK development spending can have across the world, but is also likely to make it harder for them to encourage other donor countries to make the significant contributions that are needed to support the work of the Global Fund. The UK government must redouble its diplomatic efforts and provide an ambitious financial pledge to ensure that its co-hosting is successful and the Global Fund can continue to have the same impact.

Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the critical need for all countries to prepare for future pandemics. This cannot be achieved alone, requiring strong global and regional coordination and collaboration with other Member States and key global health multilaterals. The Global Fund is now the largest multilateral provider of grants to low- and middle-income countries for pandemic preparedness.[1] By investing in critical infrastructure and human resource development, they not only respond to HIV, TB and malaria but reinforce countries’ pandemic preparedness.

For more than two decades, Gavi’s support for routine immunisation programmes and to combat disease outbreaks has served as a foundation for global health security. These programmes not only help to build resilient and sustainable health systems but also the essential infrastructure required to deliver vaccines during dangerous outbreaks.

Through the UK’s long-standing partnership with Unitaid the UK is helping to bolster the local production capacities of life-saving innovations within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Facilitating collaboration at a local and regional level reduces dependency on external supply chains and bolsters pandemic preparedness and global health security. For example Unitaid, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and local manufacturers, aims to expand medical oxygen production by 300% in East Africa and reduce oxygen prices by up to 27%, making it more affordable for healthcare systems across the region.[2]

Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Global health multilateralism is key to achieving the UK’s vision for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be contained and controlled by 2040. Over half the vaccines in Gavi’s portfolio for 2026-2030 will help countries reduce the demand for antibiotics[3] – countering the ‘silent’ pandemic of AMR. The Global Fund also supports countries to address prevention and control of AMR in health facilities and communities through cross-cutting investments in laboratory capacity, surveillance systems, access to adequate treatment, training for health workers and community engagement.

Global stability and growth

The most important objective of global health interventions are, and will continue to be, to save lives, but by tackling global health challenges, there are additional benefits for local economies, global prosperity, and ultimately UK trade. For example, research commissioned by Malaria No More UK and carried out by Oxford Economics Africa has shown that getting back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of cutting malaria cases by 90% by 2030 would deliver a global trade boost of $80.7bn over that period, including a $450m boost to British exports.[4]

Enabling regional growth by addressing global health challenges will create stronger global partnerships and unlock trade opportunities, ultimately leading to a more secure world. Investment in multilateral health organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund delivers high returns – every $1 invested in Gavi generates $54 in broader economic benefits[5] while Global Fund-supported programmes have contributed to an estimated $1 trillion in economic gains since its inception.[6] These organisations help strengthen health security and pandemic preparedness, ensuring that countries can detect, prevent, and respond to emerging threats – an investment that protects lives and stabilises economies. As the UK continues to build trusted relationships with African and Commonwealth countries, continued engagement with these multilaterals will be vital for fostering long-term economic resilience and shared prosperity.

3 March 2025