MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government will contribute $25 million over three years to
The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The Global Fund, established in 2002 by the international community under
the patronage of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, works to attract
and disperse additional resources to prevent and treat AIDS, tuberculosis and
malaria - three of the world's most devastating diseases.
Almost 40 percent of funding disbursed by the Fund in the Asia Pacific
region is used to purchase much-needed commodities such as pharmaceuticals,
mosquito bed nets and other medical supplies. The Fund is also working to
improve diagnosis and treatment facilities in the region, and provide
additional training for health professionals.
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are serious public health issues, not
just in our region but around the world, and act as a major impediment to
development.
The Australian Government is particularly pleased that the Fund is putting
additional resources into the Asia/Pacific region where an estimated 7.5
million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
The new Australian funding comes on top of Australia's six-year $200
million Global HIV/AIDS initiative which I launched in 2000.
The Global Fund, an excellent example of the partnership needed to tackle
HIV/AIDS, is governed by an international Board including representatives of
donor and recipient governments, non-government organisations, the private
sector and affected communities. The World Health Organisation, UNAIDs and the
Global Fund's trustee, the World Bank, are also represented in ex-officio
capacity.
The Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral
organisations, supporting their work through substantially increased
funding. It also helps affected communities in developing countries to
access affordable medicines that are critical in the prevention and treatment
of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Australian Government is pleased to be able to support the Global Fund
and looks forward to working in partnership with the Fund to help prevent and
treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
See also Global Fund Media Release [external website]
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489