Global Fund, UNAIDS Sign Memorandum of Understanding Reaffirming Commitment to Fighting AIDS, TB, Malaria

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and UNAIDS on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to "reaffirm their mutual engagement to strengthen the global response" to AIDS, TB and malaria, according to a Global Fund release. The memorandum says that the Global Fund is a "critical financing mechanism" for helping to curb the spread of the three diseases in the developing world and that UNAIDS is a "key source of strategic analysis, policy advice and technical expertise," according to the release. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot said, "For the first time in the short history of the AIDS epidemic -- and decisively in the case of malaria and TB -- we have the potential to reverse these epidemics through increased political and financial commitments." He added, "The Global Fund is an indispensable resource in seizing this historic opportunity and accelerating the response to these three diseases. The U.N. system stands committed to making the Global Fund a success." Global Fund Executive Director Richard Feachem said, "The finance of the Global Fund must be complemented by technical support to countries, so that both public and private recipients can maximize their efforts to fight AIDS, TB and malaria. The world depends on the in-country assistance provided by UNAIDS as well as its tireless role in global advocacy and coordination." Feachem added, "Fighting these diseases is a job for all of us." A fact sheet on the Global Fund and the United Nations is available online at the Global Fund Web site (Global Fund release, 8/4).