The letter asked Russia to “renew its commitment to [this support], but also as the presiding country of the G20 encourage members who do not contribute, or contribute very little to the Fund, to follow Russia’s example.”
Specifically, the letter asks Russia to urge that Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to make their first contributions to the Global Fund. The communication suggests these countries could come together as a group of donors under Russia and hold a seat on the Global Fund Board.
Dr. Jorge Saavedra (right) at the Civil 20 Summit in Moscow
“The contributions to the Global Fund should not be seen as an expense, but rather as an investment that will pay off by saving lives and controlling three diseases that have no borders and pose risks to public health and overall development,” read the letter signed by Dr. Saavedra, who is also a member of the Developing Countries NGOs Delegation to the Global Fund Board.
Saavedra reported that President Putin was very receptive to the comments posed to his nation in the letter, and even addressed the current state of Russia’s HIV/AIDS epidemic and told Saavedra that there are other countries in Eastern Europe that are performing far better than Russia with regards to HIV prevention.