SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES FULL FUNDING TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSES, MALARIA;

SAYS SUCH SPENDING ‘TRUE RECOVERY PACKAGE’ IN TIME OF ECONOMIC CRISES

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the Mid-Term Review Meeting of the Second Voluntary Replenishment Process of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculoses and Malaria, in Cáceres, Spain, 30 March:

Welcome to this Mid-Term Review Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Your discussions bear directly on the well-being of billions of people.

Since 2001, the Global Fund has committed nearly $10.5 billion to health programmes in 140 countries.

It has helped delay the onset of AIDS in 2 million HIV-positive people.

4.6 million cases of tuberculosis have been detected and treated.

70 million insecticide-treated bed nets delivered.

74 million malaria drug treatments administered.

It has been a success.

The Global Fund has saved millions of lives.  And it has shown that we can beat these diseases.

It is important that we replenish it.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Global Fund needs an additional $4 billion to continue to meet its goals up to 2010.

In this time of economic crisis, I say to you that spending on AIDS, TB and malaria is a smart investment.

It is a true recovery package.

Across Africa, AIDS threatens to reduce gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 2.6 per cent.  The Fund is helping to keep parents, workers and teachers alive and productive.

Tuberculosis costs the world’s poorest communities $16 billion a year.  Containing it will cost just $4.2 billion a year.

Malaria costs Africa $12 billion a year.  Just $3.4 billion a year will pay for prevention and treatment.

At Gleneagles in 2005, donors promised that all credible plans would be fully funded.

We must honour these commitments.

The Global Fund is helping countries to set ambitious targets.  It is helping them to achieve concrete results.

And it is giving affected populations a real voice in programmes and policies that affect them.

I urge you to ensure it is fully funded.

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record