Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement was pleased with the outcome of discussions at the first-ever meeting of G8 Health Ministers in Moscow.
Ministers renewed their international commitment to combat avian influenza and prevent and prepare for a possible human pandemic influenza. They also committed to work cooperatively on global health issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases that represent major threats to global public health and place a heavy socio-economic burden on societies.
“We agreed that it is important to renew our efforts to meet existing health commitments made by G8 leaders and to intensify global cooperation on preparations related to a possible pandemic influenza,” said Health Minister Clement.
G8 Health Ministers welcomed the participation of multilateral institutions, including the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and the World Bank, as well as Ministers from China, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa for part of their discussions.
Minister Clement appreciated the opportunity to meet with his North American colleagues Secretary Michael Leavitt (United States of America) and Minister Julio Frenk (Mexico) to follow up on the commitment to develop a North American Pandemic Plan, as agreed by Leaders at Cancun.
Minister Clement took the opportunity to invite colleagues to attend the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto in August where the world community will address the theme ‘Time to Deliver.’
“The Toronto AIDS Conference will bring together scientists, political leaders, multilateral organizations, civil society organizations, governments, people living with HIV/AIDS, to work together to make real inroads into treating, preventing and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS,” the Minister said.
HEALTH CANADA