G8 urged to put money where their mouth is
-25/08/05
By Gary Hopkins
As thousands continue to put pressure on world leaders to Make Poverty History, campaigners are suggesting that the first chance for the G8 to put its money where its mouth is lies just around the corner.
The Replenishment Meeting for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in September is being widely billed as the first significant test of the promises made by world leaders at the recent G8 meeting.
At the recent summit in Scotland a commitment was made to universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010.
The UK, as president of the EU, is being urged to work hard at encouraging other EU members and the European Commission to contribute their share if the fund is to continue.
The UK has already said that it will double its funding. This has been welcomed by the Stop AIDS Campaign. But campaigners also have serious concerns about the gaps in funding for HIV.
Without the required funding, programmes already supported by the Global Fund will be at risk of closing and the prospect of new grants will be seriously affected, putting the lives of millions of people at risk.
Judith Melby, of Christian Aid, said, ëThe Global Fund accounts for 20 per cent of global HIV funding. Donor governments need to at least double their contributions in order to close the gap between what is pledged and what is actually needed to ensure the Global Fund is effective.í
Delegates at the September meeting will discuss funding for 2006 and 2007. Current Global Fund figures show a further 2.9 billion dollars is needed for 2006 and 4.2 billion dollars for 2007 to ensure these commitments become a reality.
The Global Fund has already had positive results. By June 2005 Global Fund financing had helped to provide 220,000 people with antiretroviral treatment for HIV, 600,000 patients with TB treatment and more than 3.1 million families with insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent malaria.
Save the Childrenís Anna Taylor said, ëThis the first major test of credibility of the G8 countries following the Summit at Gleneagles in July. A global campaign asked world leaders to make poverty history and in response the G8 leaders made key commitments, including an explicit promise to support the replenishment of the Global Fund this year. The outcome of this meeting will demonstrate whether countries are prepared to keep their promise, or instead betray the hopes raised at Gleneagles,í
The Replenishment Meeting for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria runs from 5-6 September in London.
G8 urged to put money where their mouth is
-25/08/05
By Gary Hopkins
As thousands continue to put pressure on world leaders to Make Poverty History, campaigners are suggesting that the first chance for the G8 to put its money where its mouth is lies just around the corner.
The Replenishment Meeting for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in September is being widely billed as the first significant test of the promises made by world leaders at the recent G8 meeting.
At the recent summit in Scotland a commitment was made to universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010.
The UK, as president of the EU, is being urged to work hard at encouraging other EU members and the European Commission to contribute their share if the fund is to continue.
The UK has already said that it will double its funding. This has been welcomed by the Stop AIDS Campaign. But campaigners also have serious concerns about the gaps in funding for HIV.
Without the required funding, programmes already supported by the Global Fund will be at risk of closing and the prospect of new grants will be seriously affected, putting the lives of millions of people at risk.
Judith Melby, of Christian Aid, said, ëThe Global Fund accounts for 20 per cent of global HIV funding. Donor governments need to at least double their contributions in order to close the gap between what is pledged and what is actually needed to ensure the Global Fund is effective.’
Delegates at the September meeting will discuss funding for 2006 and 2007. Current Global Fund figures show a further 2.9 billion dollars is needed for 2006 and 4.2 billion dollars for 2007 to ensure these commitments become a reality.
The Global Fund has already had positive results. By June 2005 Global Fund financing had helped to provide 220,000 people with antiretroviral treatment for HIV, 600,000 patients with TB treatment and more than 3.1 million families with insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent malaria.
Save the Children’s Anna Taylor said, ëThis the first major test of credibility of the G8 countries following the Summit at Gleneagles in July. A global campaign asked world leaders to make poverty history and in response the G8 leaders made key commitments, including an explicit promise to support the replenishment of the Global Fund this year. The outcome of this meeting will demonstrate whether countries are prepared to keep their promise, or instead betray the hopes raised at Gleneagles,’
The Replenishment Meeting for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria runs from 5-6 September in London.