The Government of Japan provided financial contribution of approximately US$ 184 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Every year, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - the three major infectious diseases - kill five million people all over the world. The prevalence of HIV is steadily increasing every year in all regions including Asia.It is estimated that 33.2 million people in the world are now living with HIV/AIDS, with regards to tuberculosis (TB), the rapid increase of drug-resistant TB and co-infection of HIV and TB, spreading particularly in Africa, have emerged as new major challenges to be addressed.
The contribution to the Global Fund represents Japan's firm commitment to fight against the killer diseases. It also reflects the importance attached by Japan to the Global Fund which plays a pivotal role on the fight against infectious diseases.
With this contribution, Japan has accomplished its disbursement of US$ 500 million to the Global Fund, pledged by the then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in June 2005.
The Pacific Islands may stand to benefit from the Global Fund as they continue to fight these infectious, yet preventable and treatable diseases.