The following is a summary of editorials and opinion pieces published ahead of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s replenishment conference scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., on December 3.

• Ray Chambers, The Hill’s “Global Affairs” blog: “The Global Fund represents the best there is when it comes to smart spending to save lives and defeat disease,” Chambers, the U.N. secretary general’s special envoy for financing the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and for malaria, writes. “While its processes are rooted in the smartest financial management, its impact is as human as it gets: saving or improving more precious lives,” he states (11/28).
• Bill Gates, CNN: “We still need the entire world’s support to continue the incredible progress we’ve made,” Gates writes, noting the upcoming meeting. He concludes, “This World AIDS Day, we need governments, private donors, [non-governmental organizations (NGOs)], activists and leaders to reaffirm their commitment to an organization that has helped change the course of three epidemics” (12/1).
• New York Times: Noting a congressional push “to double the number of people abroad who will be treated for infections with HIV” by the end of 2016 through PEPFAR, the editorial states, “It’s not clear what the cost of raising the treatment goal might be, but Congress and the Obama administration should cooperate in finding the money, either by reprogramming existing funds or providing additional appropriations.” The editorial continues, “In the long run, treating infected people before they get sick makes economic sense. It keeps them productive and supporting their families, reduces the cost of caring for those who might otherwise become sick and prevents new infections.” The newspaper adds, “The United States is by far the biggest contributor to the [Global Fund]. Other nations need to contribute their fair share” (11/27).
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Investment in the Global Fund will save not only millions of lives, but also tens of billions of dollars in treatment costs,” the editorial notes. “But that can happen only with U.S. leadership,” the newspaper continues, writing, “To reach the Global Fund’s goal, the United States needs to pledge $5 billion over three years” (12/2).
• Stamford Advocate: “The Global Fund estimates that it saves roughly 100,000 lives per month. It is impossible to do a true count, but one thing is certain: Lives can be saved by supporting it, and lives will be lost if it is neglected,” the editorial states. Noting “[a] bipartisan group of legislators is asking President Barack Obama to provide resources so the number of people being treated for HIV in poor nations can be doubled to 12 million over the next two years,” the editorial writes, “Even as we struggle with our own challenges in the arena of health, the United States is helping to nourish a healthier planet” (11/29).
• Desmond Tutu, Huffington Post’s “Impact” blog: “Our world’s leaders will have this opportunity on December 3, when they come together in Washington, D.C., to make funding commitments to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,” Tutu, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town and honorary chair of endgame, writes, adding, “These commitments will be quantified in lives saved and access to health for the most vulnerable people living in our world’s most vulnerable places. We are all part of the human family, and no one should be left behind” (12/1).
• Judy Zizzo, Missoulian: “The key to success is a $5 billion pledge from the U.S.,” Zizzo, co-chair of the Missoula Chapter of RESULTS, states, adding, “Since the U.S. already contributes $1.65 billion to the Global Fund this year, a U.S. pledge of $5 billion would be the equivalent of maintaining our current contribution over the next three years.” She writes, “Continued support is essential to extend treatment to all who need it” (11/28).