Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (centre) is joined by Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (centre) is joined by Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.
Photo Credit: Government of Canada

International leaders meet to fight AIDS, TB, Malaria

A major gathering of world leaders is taking place in Montreal

It goes under the less than thrilling name of the “Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria” in an effort to end the epidemics of these three of the world’s most devastating diseases  by 2030.

Founded in 2002, the purpose is to bring together national governments, civil society and private donors to donate and work together to fight these infectious diseases, with a goal to eradicate them entirely as epidemics by 2030

This year’s financial target is $13 billion.

The event is being opened and attended by Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, hosts a luncheon at the Global Fund conference on Sept. 16, 2016 in Montreal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, hosts a luncheon at the Global Fund conference on Sept. 16, 2016 in Montreal. © Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press

Other leaders in attendance include the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and international rock star Bono, along with the co-founder of Microsoft, billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates.

The aim of the conference is to raise funds to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

In a government press release, Prime Minister Trudeau is quoted saying, “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”.

Along with the fund is a social media campaign called , #End It for Good.

Prime Minister Trudeau has already pledged a 20 percent increase over its previous pledge to fund, promising some $800 million over the 2017-2019 period in his opening keynote address.

In addition to raising funds one of the issues likely to be discussed is that of international property rights that keep lower-priced generic drugs off the market for lengthy periods

Additional information- sources

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