Australia's commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Joint media release:

  • The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs
  • Senator the Hon Brett Mason, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

3 December 2013

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop today announced Australia will commit $200 million over three years to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).

The national prevalence for HIV/AIDS in Australia is lower than in many comparable nations. However, it is estimated that around five million people in our region are living with HIV/AIDS. It is the leading cause of death globally for women and girls (aged 15-44).

Australia has spent A$1billion combatting HIV/AIDS in our region over the last decade.

The Global Fund is the largest multilateral funder of health programs in developing countries. It invests around a third of its funds, or around $US6.8 billion, in the Indo-Pacific region where it has delivered HIV treatment to over 700,000 people, treated seven million cases of tuberculosis and distributed 51 million bed nets.

A particular focus of Australia's cooperation with the Global Fund is the elimination of drug-resistant strains of malaria in the Mekong sub-region and tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea.

In July 2014 Australia will host the 20th International AIDS Conference, in Melbourne. Around 18,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries are expected to attend this biennial conference, which is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, policymakers and people living with HIV.

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