Canada to host Global Fund Replenishment Conference to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

OTTAWA, May 9, 2016 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that Canada will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Montréal, Quebec on September 16, 2016.

The Global Fund initiative is a true expression of Canada's core values – to care for each other, to support those in need, and to prioritize the health and wellness of our global community.

This conference will bring global health leaders together in an effort to end the epidemics of three of the world's most devastating diseases – AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria – by 2030.

The Prime Minister also announced that Canada will pledge $785 million, for 2017 to 2019, to help save an additional 8 million lives, and stop an additional 300 million new infections by 2019. This investment represents a 20 per cent increase from the previous pledge made for 2014-2016.

The Prime Minister also voiced his support for the Global Fund's new youth driven social media campaign "End It. For Good" Those who get involved in the campaign will have the opportunity to join others who are dedicated to making the world a better place at a concert in Montréal in September.

Quotes

"This is an historic opportunity for Canada and the world. By fast-tracking investments and building global solidarity, we can bring an end to three devastating epidemics – AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – that have tragic and far-reaching impacts on the world's most vulnerable people."
- Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"We have made significant progress in recent years, but the fight is not over. Canada is committed to ending the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics for good by 2030. Canada is making the choice to lead on this critical issue for the poorest and most vulnerable people."
- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

"Canada is demonstrating outstanding leadership in global health and development. Prime Minister Trudeau's insight and his government's commitment to global partnerships and cooperation will help save millions of lives and create opportunity and prosperity for countless more."
- Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

"The Global Fund was one of the first organizations to recognize that we can't win the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria unless we fight for the rights of women and girls. It's playing a key role in tackling gender disparities and ensuring that millions of women and girls have an opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life."
- Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Quick Facts

• The Prime Minister made the announcement with Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund and Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, after meeting with representatives from a number of Canadian organizations active in international development and youth engagement.
• They were joined by: the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie; the Honourable Alexander Percival Segbefia, Minister of Health for the Republic of Ghana; the Honourable Prof. Moustafa Mijiyawa, Minister of Health for the Republic of Togo; and the Honourable Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and Francophonie for the Government of Quebec.

Associated Links

• Backgrounder – Canada and the Global Fund
• Taking global action to conquer AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• Canada's International Development Projects with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• The Global Fund

Backgrounder

Canada and the Global Fund

The Global Fund is the world's main funding body for activities related to the prevention and treatment of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and is one of Canada's key partners in improving global health, specifically the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's target of ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Canada has committed more than $2.1 billion CAD to the Global Fund since its inception in 2002, including $650 million CAD for 2014-2016.

The Global Fund supports programs in more than 140 countries which have resulted in an estimated 17 million lives saved to date, mostly in Africa, where the burden of disease is greatest. It is on track to save 22 million lives by the end of 2016.

The main mechanism for the Global Fund to secure funding is through its replenishment conferences held every three years. President Barack Obama hosted the last replenishment conference in Washington, D.C., in 2013.

The Global Fund is now seeking to raise USD $ 13 billion for 2017 to 2019. On September 16, 2016, in Montréal, Quebec, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555