The economic slowdown had several support groups clamoring against the rumored funding cuts in the multilateral organization’s AIDS program. Now, the head of the Global Fund, on Saturday, dismissed all possibility of the 25 percent funding cut, saying that international donors are honoring their commitments.

Michel Kazatchkine told AFP during an AIDS conference in Senegal that he was "cautiously optimistic" there would not be large funding cuts despite the global economic downturn, after warnings of devastating results from campaigners.

"In my discussions with leaders up to now I have not heard of any donor that is not ready to honor their commitments to the Global Fund," Kazatchkine said.

"If the replenishment (of the fund) allows it, we will cut on the cut. The 25 percent could become 10 percent, or five percent or even zero. The cut is not a final irreversible decision."

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, created by the G8 group of industrialized nations in 2002, accounts for one quarter of all international donations to fight AIDS.

Earlier on Saturday, non-governmental organisations warned of drastic reductions in the availability of HIV testing or medicines if the Global Fund pushed ahead with a proposed 25 percent funding cut in two years' time.

The cut would come on top of a 10-percent cost reduction in funding which the Global Fund announced it would aim for in its last round of grants.