The Geneva-based organisation, The Global Fund, since it was established in 2002, has undoubtedly been a force for good. But its worldwide impact in the future is clouded by global political shifts, like that of the Swiss city itself.
Two big donor governments collapsed in a week, just as the organisation is trying to secure billions in new funding. The French and Japanese prime ministers had gone for different reasons but it was bad timing.
It is a sensitive moment for the Fund, which was set up to tackle the scourge of three deadly diseases: Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis or TB.
The Fund has mobilised billions of dollars to reduce not only the incidence but the death toll of these pernicious infections. Its upcoming funding round has been launched to go further, capitalising on progress in some of the world’s poorest and most marginal countries.
Peter Sands, the former Standard Chartered Bank boss who oversees the Fund, says its investment of $6.1bn over three years between 2024 and 2026 not only tackles infections but strengthens healthcare systems, where there are precious little other resources available.
In raw figures, the Global Fund is aiming to help cut the death rate from the three diseases by 64 per cent over its funded cycle. Since its establishment more than two decades ago, the death rate has fallen by 63 per cent and the incidence across the three diseases is down 42 per cent.
While Washington has cut USAID and big donors such as France or the UK have also driven swingeing cuts, there is some hope the Fund can prove to the US that it has an innovation-centred agenda that chimes with new US priorities. Mr Sands talks about a mobile scanner with AI diagnosis that it is using against TB in Ukraine and is working wonders.
Since the Global Fund was established in 200, the death rate has fallen by 63 per cent
The Fund has made a commitment that shows it can work with the new strictures of the Trump administration, which is to roll out the US-made HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir for up to two million people by 2028.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, has not shielded the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) from cuts but he has said the programme will continue until it can be reduced over time as they are impactful in achieving their mission.
A whole class of global philanthropic or public good organisations is clustered in Geneva, where the UN’s second home is based. Most, like the Global Fund, are finding their environment a lot more challenging as funds dry up. Insiders talk of two in five staffers going at many of the UN organisations themselves.
A panel at Chatham House last week pondered the future role of Geneva as a platform for working with and highlighting the concerns of the Global South countries.
Is it a historical anomaly that the Alpine city, with its high cost-of-living and European sensibilities, plays such an outsize role as a host for global co-operation?
Even the UN General Assembly had voted permission for parts of its high-level meeting, the annual set of addresses by heads of state and government, to be held not in New York but in Geneva.
Geneva's Palais Wilson, once home of the UN’s predecessor, the League of Nations, could yet take over some of the functions residing for decades on New York’s East River.
The reason lies at the Trump administration’s door. By restricting diplomatic access and outright refusing to grant visas to some delegations, the host agreement with the UN has been violated.
Previous high-profile staffers such as Mark Malloch Brown, a former deputy secretary general of the UN, have called for wider changes at the UN that could decentralise its operations. Cutting costs by getting closer to partners on the ground and using its charter as a vehicle for oversight would allow the UN to reinvent itself.
Geneva boasts of a whole set of UN ancillary organisations that are vulnerable in this new world. Adjusting to multipolar power means looking to the east and south.
Last weekend, when the British think tank Institute for Public Policy Research looked at relations with Global South countries, it noted the centre of gravity of gross domestic product has shifted from the Atlantic to the Hindu Kush. This is a trend unlikely to reverse.
IPPR says western powers such as the UK must mobilise differently to recognise the strength of competition from rising powers. It called for a mindset change to adjust to new realities. Looking at Geneva’s head start, some would see a “piecemeal diffusion” on the cards.
At the session, Alberto Groff, deputy head of mission at the Switzerland embassy in London, acknowledged the shifting sands and Chatham House dubbed the session Is Geneva heading south? As an advocate for the city’s advantages, Mr Groff cautioned many will take a longer view.
The delivery of programmes for the public good would still need a hub. Geneva’s stock of expertise would still be shared with the world. He argued that the city was a custodian of the value system that is embedded in the UN and that could not be easily replicated.
There is no doubt that a fork in the road has been reached. Swiss tax advantages or the unique legal and regulatory system remain important for the organisations the city hosts.
If not in this funding round, then the next, is the message. The wider question of how to address changing times isn’t going away.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Read more about the coronavirus
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
More on animal trafficking
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The five pillars of Islam
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
