Bill Gates Pledges $750 Million To AIDS Fund

Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates (file photo)

Microsoft chairman and philanthropist Bill Gates has pledged a further $750 million to the global AIDS fund.

Gates made the promise in Davos, Switzerland, at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced earlier this week that its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, was stepping down following criticism over the reported misuse of funds and cuts in funding.

The Geneva-based fund accounts for around one-quarter of international financing to fight HIV and AIDS.

The organization has been forced to make cuts and said last year it would make no new grants or funding until 2014.

In August 2006, the Gates Foundation contributed $500 million to the fund.

compiled from agency and media reports