Global Gateway: President von der Leyen announces funding for women and youth’s rights, food security, fight against disease, and biodiversity

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, concluded on Saturday an intense week of discussions with world leaders and international partners at the UN General Assembly in New York with a series of pledges to tackle the current food crisis, aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the urgent climate and nature crisis and to improve global health. Speaking at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, President von der Leyen reiterated EU’s commitment to help our most vulnerable partners deal with the social and economic fallout of Russia’s unlawful actions and boost sustainable investments under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. President von der Leyen said: “Team Europe is answering the call from citizens to address food security, to take care of our health and the health of our planet. After we joined forces to fight the pandemic, we must now come together to end other deadly diseases, tackle poverty and bring equity. And Europe will also play its role in the global green transition. Ahead of COP15 in December, we are confirming an unprecedented investment in support to our partners. I call on all international donors to match our ambition on biodiversity.” The President pledged €715 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which brings the total Team Europe (EU and Member States) contribution to more than €4.3 billion. She also announced the allocation of the €600 million in additional funds for addressing the global food security crisis in the most vulnerable partner countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific. In addition, the President announced a new contribution of €45 million over six years to support sexual and reproductive health and rights – and women’s rights – worldwide. And she announced that the doubling of the Commission’s funding to global biodiversity would result in €7 billion invested to protect biodiversity around the world. More information available online in our press release.