Global Partnership to Combat AIDS Reaches $13 Billion Goal

By ALLISON LAMPERT, Reuters

MONTREAL – A global public-private partnership has reached its goal of raising $13 billion from international donors to combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday.

During an international conference in Montreal, the Global Fund asked government, faith-based and private-sector donors to raise a total of $13 billion over the next three years, starting in 2017.

The fund, the world’s largest aimed at fighting the three diseases, is credited with saving 20 million lives since it was established in 2002.

“The impact of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria is far-reaching, and we know that these diseases disproportionately affect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and children.” Trudeau said in a news release.

“These commitments will save millions of lives,” said Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates, whose foundation donated $600 million to the fund.

The United States, the fund’s largest donor, in August pledged up to $4.3 billion through 2019. The amount is subject to congressional approval.

The three diseases targeted by the fund are believed to kill more than 8,000 people a day. — Reuters

(Source: GMAnetwork.com)