PARIS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday asked international donors gathered in Lyon, east France, to join an initiative to raise 14 billion U.S. dollars for the Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria over the next three years.
World leaders, civil society representatives, chief executives, activists, philanthropists, advocates and people affected by HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria met in Lyon on Oct. 9 and 10 to step up efforts to combat these diseases.
Held every three years, the conference aims to raise at least 14 billion U.S. dollars to help save 16 million lives and avert 234 million infections, according to the Global Fund.
"The objective to eradicate AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 is achievable if we assume our responsibilities," said the French president.
He announced that France, the fund's second largest donor after the United States, would increase its contribution by 15 percent.
Established in 2002, the Global Fund raised 12.9 billion U.S. dollars from international donors during its previous conference held in Canada in 2016.
