G8 Commitment on AIDS Treatment Threatened
Contact: David Bryden, 1-202-789-0432, x211, or mobile 1-202-549-3664
Washington, DC, June 4, 2007—Today the lead negotiators preparing the final communiqué of the G8 Summit are wrangling over what to commit to regarding expanding access to HIV/AIDS treatment. A great deal is at stake as the final draft of the communiqué is being finalized.
The Global AIDS Alliance has learned from sources close to these negotiations that the US delegation is urging that the communiqué include treatment targets that would represent only 50% coverage, that is, far less than universal coverage. In contrast, the G8 in 2005 committed to reaching universal access, which is defined as 80% coverage by UNAIDS.
Between 10 and 12 million people will need HIV/AIDS treatment by 2010, yet the US is urging that the G8 communiqué set a target of only 5 million in the next few years.
"Millions of preventable deaths will occur if the G8 loses its spine," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "It is outrageous that the President is working for such a dramatic weakening of the promise of universal access, just days after garnering so much positive publicity for his announcement on AIDS funding."
The US pressure on the G8 is consistent with the proposal President Bush unveiled last week. Glowing media coverage overshadowed the fact that under President Bush's proposal the US would, in effect, scale back its delivery of AIDS treatment to those who need it, from 33% to 20% of those in need. The US would also provide only a slight increase in funding, representing a 10% increase above the current level. Click here for GAA's analysis of the White House proposal.
The Global AIDS Alliance urges the G8 leaders to reaffirm their commitment to universal access as defined by the UN. To achieve this target, the G8 should commit to provide the $30 billion in annual funding that the UN says is needed for HIV/AIDS programs by 2010. They should reaffirm their commitment to fully replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria at a level of between $6 billion and $8 billion by 2010.
"The promise of universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care is one of the main planks championed by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to address the catastrophic impact of AIDS on Africa," said Zeitz. "But sadly, a key part of Blair's Africa legacy is on the verge of being reversed."
"We call on the leaders of the UK, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, and Japan to resist US pressure. We also urge them to keep universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment on track by setting specific resource commitments. Money is the oxygen for action," said Zeitz.