GAVI Watch [to 20 December 2014]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

:: US approves US$ 200 million for Gavi in fiscal year 2015 budget
Washington, DC, 17 December 2014 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance welcomed final approval of the fiscal year 2015 appropriations bill that includes US$ 200 million for Gavi. It is the largest single year contribution ever made to Gavi by the United States…
“Gavi is grateful for the unbending, bipartisan support to vaccinate children in the world’s poorest countries, especially in a challenging budget environment,” said Gavi CEO Dr. Seth Berkley. “We want to specifically thank House and Senate State and Foreign Operations subcommittee leaders Rep Kay Granger, Rep Nita Lowey, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Sen. Lindsey Graham. This support will help Gavi purchase and deliver vaccines that will protect tens of millions of vulnerable children in poor countries around the world.”…

:: Gavi announces appointment of new Board members
Geneva, 16 December 2014 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has announced the appointment of 10 members to the Board. The appointments were confirmed at the Board meeting held in Geneva on the 10th and 11th of December 2014.
The appointments are as follows:
– David Sidwell, Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Risk Committee, UBS, as an Unaffiliated Board Member effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2017
– Gunilla Carlsson, former Minister of International Development Cooperation, Sweden, as an Unaffiliated Board Member effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2017
– Seif Seleman Rashid, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Tanzania, as Board Member representing the developing country constituency effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2017
– Khaga Raj Adhikari, Minister of Health and Population, Nepal, as Board Member representing the developing country constituency effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2017
– Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, Minister of Health, Sudan as Board Member representing the developing country constituency effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2017
– Mariam Diallo, Assistant Director for Health, Food Security and Human Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France, as Board Member representing the France, Luxembourg, European Commission, and Germany donor constituency effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2015
– Beate Stirø, Policy Director, Global Health Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway, as Board Member representing the Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden donor constituency in the seat currently held by Anders Nordström of Sweden effective 1 January 2015 and until 31 December 2016
– Clare Walsh, First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Development and Partnerships Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, as Board Member representing the United States, Australia, Korea, and Japan donor constituency effective 1 January 2015 and until 30 June 2015
Nick Dyer, Director General for Policy and Global Programmes at the Department for International Development, United Kingdom, and Jan Paehler, Director General, Research – Public Health, European Commission, were elected to the Board to sit at the December 2014 meeting. In addition, eight new alternate Board members were appointed.

:: IFFIm rating action by Fitch follows France downgrade
Washington DC, 17 December 2014 — Fitch Ratings has downgraded the long-term credit rating of the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) from AA+ to AA with a stable outlook. The short-term foreign currency rating on IFFIm has been affirmed at F1+.
Fitch explained the decision as being linked to its rating action last week on France, which is the second largest financial contributor to IFFIm. More broadly, Fitch aligns its rating of IFFIm with the lower of that of the United Kingdom (AA+/stable) and France, IFFIm’s two largest donors.
“The IFFIm and Gavi Boards, donor countries and the World Bank continuously reiterate their full confidence in IFFIm’s mission and overall financial position, as well as the commitment of donor countries to fulfill their pledging obligations,” said René Karsenti, Chair of the IFFIm Board. “The downgrade is not expected to materially impact the amount of funds available to IFFIm and Gavi.”
IFFIm is currently rated AA by Fitch with stable outlook, Aa1 by Moody’s with a stable outlook and AA by S&P with a negative outlook.
More details on IFFIm’s financial position, including the latest rating agency publications, are available under IFFIm’s bond documentation page.