Press Release
15 July 2004
UK to provide global aids funding and leadership
Gareth Thomas, UK International Development Minister today signalled a major boost in the UK's commitment to tackling AIDS when the Prime Minister launches the government's new AIDS strategy next week.
The strategy will be backed by a boost in funding of £1.5bn announced in the spending review earlier this week.
Speaking at the XV International AIDS Conference at Bangkok, Gareth Thomas said:
"AIDS is having a devastating impact on our world: It is threatening to wipe out decades of progress in reducing poverty.
"The UK government is strongly committed to halting and reversing the impact of the pandemic. The £1.5bn announced earlier this week makes us by far the largest donor in the G8 in terms of spending as a proportion of national income.
"Tony Blair will next week launch the UK's new strategy to tackle HIV and AIDS, providing global leadership that works with partners at all levels: at international, for example our recent funding announcement of £36m for UNAIDS, as well as at regional, national and community level.
"We are determined to use all possible means at our disposal to tackle the spread of AIDS, which is why we continue to fund the excellent HIV, sexual and reproductive health work of the UN Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation to the tune of £80m and £12m respectively, this year. The recent UNAIDS report confirms that women and young people are hardest hit by AIDS."
Notes to editors
1. The Prime Minister will launch the UK's strategy on HIV and AIDS on Tuesday 20 July.
2. The UK Chancellor, Gordon Brown announced £1.5bn funding for AIDS over the next three years on Monday 12 July. Further information on this announcement can be found at
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spending_review/spend_sr04/press/spend_sr04_press09.cfm
3. The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn announced £116m of funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNAIDS on Tuesday 6 July. Details of this announcement can be found on our website.
4. Gareth Thomas announced £12 million for the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) on 5 March, this year. The press release can be found on our website.
5. The Department For International Development (DFID) is the UK Government department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty. The central focus of the Government's policy is a commitment to the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015. These seek to:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
- Achieve universal primary education;
- Promote gender equality and empower women;
- Reduce child mortality;
- Improve maternal health;
- Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
- Ensure environmental sustainability; and
- Develop a global partnership for development.
For further information or interviews with Gareth Thomas please contact Geraldine Platten, DFID press office on +447876 144 825.
