The government has pledged USD 100 million from 2026-28 to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Shown is Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and Global Affairs Kweon Ki-hwan on Nov. 21 attending the fund's eighth replenishment summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

The government will contribute USD 100 million (KRW 147 billion) from 2026-28 to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the prevention and eradication of the three major infectious diseases.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 22 said the pledge was made at the fund's eighth replenishment summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The fund said Korea was upgraded to a voting member of the board of directors, calling the nation "a donor with strong commitment."

Korea is the first voting member added to the fund since the latter's launch in 2006, showing the major expansion of Seoul's influence on global health.

From 2010-24, Korean companies supplied diagnostic devices and pharmaceuticals to the fund worth an estimated USD 849 million (KRW 1.24 trillion), ranking Korea third worldwide in overall health care products and the commanding lead in such equipment.

Approximately 500 people attended the meeting including Kweon Ki-hwan, deputy minister of foreign affairs for multilateral and global affairs; Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands; South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who co-hosted the gathering; high-ranking officials from the fund's partner countries; and representatives from private foundations and civic groups.

aisylu@korea.kr