Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez received the Global Goalkeeper 2025 award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in New York for his commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The world’s largest charitable organization has recognized Spain’s contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, as well as to the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI). Particular emphasis was placed on the IV International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville in June.
The award was presented against the backdrop of large-scale cuts in international aid from leading donors, primarily the US, following the winding down of USAID. The UK, France, and Germany have also cut their contributions. Many countries are redirecting their budgets to defense, reducing support for development programs. Spain, on the other hand, increased its aid by 12% in 2024 and legislated a target of 0.7% of its GDP. However, the figure remains below the OECD average.
Sánchez received the award from Bill Gates on Tuesday night (Spanish time), during the 80th UN General Assembly. The Goalkeepers Awards are designed to accelerate the achievement of global health goals that are at risk of not being met by 2030.
The organization noted that Spain has increased its contributions to the Global Fund by 12% and to GAVI by 30%. Sánchez himself described international development as “a matter of pragmatism,” emphasizing the Spanish public’s support for assisting countries in North Africa and the Middle East.
According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), global health aid declined by 21% in 2024–2025, reaching its lowest level in 15 years. If this trend continues, decades of progress will be at risk.
The Gates Foundation has announced a new $912 million contribution to the Global Fund for 2026–2028. Since 2002, this fund has saved more than 70 million lives and reduced mortality from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria by more than 60%.
In addition to Sanchez, other global health leaders received Goalkeepers awards, including:
• Abhay Bang and Rani Bang, pioneers of public health in India;
• Crystal Mwesiga Birungi, advocate for youth rights and equal access to healthcare in Africa;
• Osas Ighodaro, a Nigerian actress and activist in the fight against malaria.