US stuns with $4.6bn Global Fund pledge amid rift with SA over G20

The United States unexpectedly pledged $4.6 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria during a replenishment drive on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, reaffirming its commitment despite ongoing tensions with South Africa and domestic reforms to aid programs. The announcement, delivered remotely by Under-Secretary Jeremy P. Lewin, highlighted the Fund's success in saving 70 million lives since 2002, while other donors including the UK ($1 billion+), Canada ($1.02 billion), and several African nations contributed toward a $14 billion target against an $18 billion budget need. This pledge underscores the importance of efficient global health partnerships amid U.S. efforts to prioritize high-impact initiatives, signaling potential for sustained progress in eradicating these diseases.