Canada to Host Conference to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that donor countries of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria will meet in Montreal in September to raise $13 billion to finance their work. Canada will put forward Can$785 million (US$605.6 million) of the 2017-2019 budget at the September 16 gathering, Trudeau announced.

The Fund is scrambling to try to end the world's AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics by 2030.

The Fund says it has saved an estimated 17 million lives thanks to prevention and care programs in more than 140 countries since it was created in 2002.

Canada's contribution alone, up 20 percent, should help save about eight million additional lives by 2018, according to Trudeau's office.

"This is a historic opportunity for Canada and the world," the prime minister said.

"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."

Source-AFP