As Malawi prepares to host the 52nd Global Fund Board Meeting, a team of seven members from the Fund’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, visited Lilongwe from June 10 to 13, 2024.

Their mission was to discuss and finalize priority preparatory activities that the host's organizing committee needs to implement ahead of the global event.

Key preparations include identifying vetted service providers for internet connectivity, safety and security, conference and accommodation logistics, transportation, and events planning and management.

Additionally, they will capture life-changing stories in print and video documentaries from Global Fund-supported health programs on Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis, including infrastructure construction and equipment provision.

These success stories will be showcased during the official opening, side events, welcome receptions, and cultural events to highlight Malawi’s culture.

Speaking on Thursday at the end of the discussions with the Malawi Organizing Committee, Senior Governance Officer from the Global Fund, Eva Trujilo Herrera, emphasized that her team will maintain constant engagement with the subcommittees' chairpersons to monitor progress in logistics, protocol, security, and connectivity, among other areas.

Herrera was accompanied by six other Global Fund delegates, including Max Muller, Deputy Head and Governance Team Leader; Osian Jones, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager for Malawi; Rebecca Phillips, Media and Communications Events Manager; Marielle Mellinet, Events Manager; Thomas Ehlers, IT Support Officer; and William Helfand, Senior Security Officer.

Malawi’s Ministry of Health Global Fund Programme Manager, Dr. Doreen Sanje, expressed optimism that the face-to-face interaction with the Governance Team Scoping Mission will lead to a highly successful Global Fund meeting scheduled for November 19 to 22, 2024.

She noted that the engagement allowed both the Global Fund and Malawi to share their perspectives and expectations regarding the organization and implementation of the Board meeting.

Malawi qualified to host the 52nd Global Fund Board Meeting by meeting all the guiding principles and demonstrating practical experience in its expression of interest submitted through the Ministry of Health, the principal recipient of Global Fund grants in the country.

As an implementer country, Malawi has previously hosted high-level Global Fund officials and has the capacity to provide essential services such as visa processing, event coordination, conference and accommodation logistics, security, and transport.

The Global Fund Board meeting is expected to attract 300 heads of global agencies and several ministers. President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will officially open the meeting.

The Global Fund Board meets twice a year in implementer countries.

In January 2024, the Global Fund approved US$9.2 billion in grants starting in 2024 to support more than 70 countries in their efforts to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and to build sustainable and climate-resilient health systems over the 2024-2026 period.

Since 2003, the Global Fund has committed over US$2.2 billion to support Malawi’s national HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria programs.

This investment has significantly helped reverse the course of these epidemics, making Malawi one of the standout countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.